We often get questions on the student attendance policy and want to provide the attendance policy of Colorado Department of Education (CDE), Denver Public Schools (DPS) and East High School (EHS). All absences greater than 5 days WILL require medical documentation to support the absence. This is critical to determine if any medical support is needed upon return to school. Documentation can be emailed to: brian_fun@dpsk12.net
DPS Attendance Policy If a student is absent without an excuse signed by the parent/guardian or if the student leaves school or a class without permission of the teacher or administrator in charge, the student shall be considered truant. “Habitually Truant” shall be defined as a student of compulsory attendance age who has four total days of unexcused absences from school in any one month or 10 total days of unexcused absences during any school year.
http://www.boarddocs.com/co/dpsk12/Board.nsf/goto?open&id=A6JQSL6A56C9
The Colorado School Attendance Law C.R.S. 3.02 (2) (b) states: If authorized school officials determine that the parent’s excuse is not valid or verified, the absence shall be unexcused.
https://www.cde.state.co.us/cdefinance/cde_policy_on_instructional_hours_and_attendance
East High School Attendance Policy is consistent with both State and District policies.
As we head into the new school year, the health of our DPS community remains our top priority. Returning to indoor environments among other people inherently presents a risk for transmission of any disease and general masking for those at risk is recommended.
The peak of the cold and flu season is upon us. To prevent widespread flu in the school, we recommend that your child stay home from school if experiencing flu or cold symptoms. To decide whether or not to send your child to school, please consider the following Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment (CDPHE) has guidance to help families decide when to keep children home from school.
Consider keeping your child at home for an extra day of rest and observation if he or she has any of the following symptoms:
Definitely keep your child at home for treatment and observation if he or she has any of these symptoms:
To help prevent the flu and other colds, teach your children good hygiene habits:
Colds are the most contagious during the first 48 hours. A child who has a fever should remain at home until “fever free” for a minimum of 24 hours. Often when a child awakens with vague complaints (the way colds and flu begin) it is wise to observe your child at home for an hour or two before deciding whether or not to bring them to school. Your child should be physically able to participate in all school activities on return to school. Keeping a sick child at home will minimize the spread of infections and viruses in the classroom.
As a school, we have our custodians and the night time cleaners disinfect surfaces, door knobs, and banisters on a daily basis. We also ensure that there is soap and hand sanitizer available and encourage everyone to remind students about the importance of hand washing. For resources and information about circulation of flu, RSV, and COVID-19 in Colorado throughout the 2025-26 season, check out CDPHE’s Viral Respiratory Diseases Dashboard or DDPHE’s Respiratory Illness webpage.
If your student has any medical or physical conditions that may require accommodations during the school day, please reach out to the school nurse to discuss options. I am here to ensure your child receives the support they need to succeed and stay safe at school.
For more information or to discuss your child’s specific needs, please contact Nurse Fun at 720-423-8321 or brian_fun@dpsk12.net.
Thank you for helping us provide the best care for your child!