Handbook

Attendance

Attendance Line 505-881-9722

The Federal No Child Left Behind Act requires that state, school districts and schools be held accountable for ensuring that all students meet high academic standards. On time, daily attendance is a critical component of this educational process. New Mexico law dictates that:

• Students between the ages of five (5) and eighteen (18) years of age are mandated to attend public school, private school, home school or a state institution.
• APS report habitual truants to the Children’s Court Liaison office and to the State of New Mexico.
• APS students are allowed no more than 10 unexcused absences per school year.
• Parent/guardian must notify the school each day that the student will be absent, in accordance with the notification procedure established by the school.
• Absences may be excused for the following reasons, with appropriate documentation

• illness
• doctor’s appointment
• religious commitment
• family emergency
• diagnostic testing
• school or college visit

• In the event that the school has not received notification of absence by a parent for three (3) consecutive days, the school must make an attempt to contact the parent/guardian.
• Excessive excused absences may result in further inquiry from the principal and request for additional documentation.
• Students who are signed out before the end of the instructional day must have written documentation of the reason (as defined under excused absences) or be subject to the same consequences as tardy.

Review the entire APS Attendance Policy

Dress Code

Hodgin has adopted a dress code consistent with Albuquerque Public School (APS) district policy and Del Norte cluster behavioral goals.

The following clothing items will not be allowed:

• Hats, caps, or sunglasses (except for prescription) are allowed only outdoors, before school and during recess. Caps must be worn facing forward;
• muscle shirts, tank tops, bare midriffs, halters, spaghetti strap top, or excessively torn clothing;
• clothing with offensive slogans or pictures, or advertising for tobacco or liquor goods;
• Sagging and oversized pants; belts hanging longer than 2" from fastener. Pants must be worn at waist level.
• gang associated attire (for example: specific team insignias that the Albuquerque Police Department has earmarked as gang identification labels);
• Shorts must be at least below fingertips.
• Make up of any kind is not allowed to be worn or brought to school.
• Roller blades or shoes with wheels.

Flannel shirts and jackets may be worn only if they are tucked in and the top button is unbuttoned.

Because gang attire is subject to rapid change, this list of inappropriate clothing is not all-inclusive. School administrators and staff must exercise judgment and individual discretion based on the current situations or trends.

Also, seasonally appropriate clothing should be worn. For example, shorts should only be worn during warm times. During the winter months, the children are expected to have coats and other items such as hats and gloves.

Parents will be called to bring appropriate clothing. We ask for your continued support as we enforce this dress code.

Complete APS Student Dress Policy

Pick-Up and Drop-Off Procedures

• Please drive slowly and watch for students and their siblings
• Parking lot speed limit is 5 MPH
• Pull as far forward as possible before allowing children to exit
• Students exit vehicles on curbside only
• Drop off/pick up from curb lane
• Do not park in the car pool lanes--please park on the street or in the parking lot

Designated areas of school have been identified for parent parking and pickup. Handicapped parking is available in the front and south lots. Duty Staff are responsible for monitoring the safety of pick up and drop off areas and instructing parents and students on safety issues. These procedures were established with the safety of all children in mind.

The pickup area directly in front of school is for childcare vans and buses only. The north lot is for parent parking as well as drop off and pickup of students. The lot directly in front of school is available for parent parking excluding arrival and dismissal times. Important: The drop off and pick up area is located directly in front of the media center. Cars should not be parked and exited in this area. For safety purposes we ask that children and adults cross in the designated crosswalk area in front of the school. We wish to avoid children darting out into oncoming traffic in order to meet their parents.