Handbook

Reporting an Absence

Please call the attendance line between 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. to report an absence. A recorder will take your messages during non-office hours.

• Attendance Line: (505) 764-2000 ext. 2

Late Arrival

Parents must come in and sign in with their child anytime after 9:30 a.m.

Leaving School Early

Parent permission is required if a student leaves school during the day. Parents must pick up their child in the administration office.If someone other than a parent will pick up the child, you must list him or her on the school registration card. We will request a picture I.D. before we release your student. Anyone not listed on this card will not be allowed to remove the student from school. To minimize classroom disruption, students will not be released after 3:05 p.m.

Extended Absence

Please see the Student Handbook for details regarding an extendedabsence, or call the school for more info.

Excerpt from the APS Attendance Policy. Visit the web page to view the complete policy.

Definitions

For purposes of this procedural directive, “attendance” means students who are in class or in a school-approved activity. If a student is in attendance up to one half the total instructional time during a school day, the student will be counted as having attended one-half of a school day. If the student attends school for more than one-half of the total instructional time, the student will be counted as having attended for the full day.

For purposes of this procedural directive, “habitual truant” means a student who has accumulated the equivalent of ten (10) or more unexcused absences within a school year.

For the purposes of this procedural directive, “student in need of early intervention” means a student who has accumulated five unexcused absences within a school year.

Excused and Unexcused Absences

Schools shall comply with the Albuquerque Public Schools Student Behavior Handbook when determining excused and unexcused absences.

Excused Absences

Absences may be excused for the following reasons with proper notification:

• Illness (including chronic illness documented on a health plan, IEP or 504 plan)
• Limited family emergencies
• Family deaths
• Medical, health or legal appointments
• Suspensions
• Religious commitments
• College visits
• Deployment of a military parent
• Limited extenuating circumstances as approved in advance by the school principal

Unexcused Absences

All absences for reasons not included under excused absences shall be considered unexcused. Examples include, but are not limited to:

• Non-school sponsored activities or trips
• Family vacations outside of the normally scheduled school breaks

Students are permitted to have cell phones but they must remain turned off and put away during school hours. Any cell phones displayed or used during class may be confiscated and returned to the parent or approved adult on the following Monday after school. Second infraction on same item will result on school retaining article until last day of semester.

Please Note: If a device is being used for instructional purposes, the device MUST be turned off before the student leaves class. While using the device, the student MUST abide by the Acceptable Use Agreement signed at registration by the student and parent.

Visit the Student Right and Responsibilities information on the APS website.

For full details and the official Dress Code policy please refer to the Student Handbook, or contact the school.

Washington Middle School student uniforms are available locally at JC Penny, Target, Walmart, Old Navy, and in the school Parent Room.Student uniforms include:

Shirts

• 6th Grade:whitepolo style with collar, short sleeve or long sleeve, Washington MS Spirit Shirt.
• 7th Grade:light bluepolo style with collar, short sleeve or long sleeve, Washington MS Spirit Shirt.
• 8th Grade:navy bluepolo style with collar, short sleeve or long sleeve, Washington MS Spirt Shirt.

Pants, Shorts, Skirts

• solid color: khaki or navy blue, blue denim jeans
• standard fit, no sagging, no holes, no shredding

Sweatshirts, Sweaters & Jackets

• solid color: light blue, navy, white
• standard fit

WMS T-Shirts

On selected days, students can wear their official WMS Spirit t-shirts, available for purchase in the Parent Room.