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Handbook

Attendance

Attendance line:

  • APS students are allowed no more than five (5) excused or unexcused absences per semester, and no more than ten (10) excused or unexcused absences per year.
  • The parent/guardian must notify the school each day that the student will be absent, in accordance with the notification procedure established by the school. You can leave a message on the answering machine at any time.
  • Absences may be excused for the following reasons, with appropriate documentation:
    • Doctor's appointment
    • Death in the family
    • Religious commitment
    • Illness
    • Family emergency
    • Diagnostic testing
    • School or College visit

Review the student handbook for the complete updated attendance policies.

Pick Up And Drop Off Zones

For the 2024-2025 year, pick up and drop off zones will be different due to construction. More information will be coming before August 6. Thank you for your patience!

Everyone is expected to use the sidewalks and appropriate crosswalks. Watch for the staff members and crossing guards to direct you when it is safe to cross. To ensure a safer traffic flow when LEAVING the campus, there is a NO LEFT TURN policy during school hours.

Drivers are to ONLY TURN RIGHT when exiting the campus 7:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Parents

  1. The speed limit on Harper is 15 MPH when the school zone is in operation, but care and safety should be practiced at all times when near a school.
  2. Passing is prohibited in the school zone.
  3. Backing up is a very hazardous maneuver at any time, but especially in a school zone. Use extreme care when backing out of a parking space when in the school parking lot.
  4. SLOW DOWN when driving onto the campus! The speed limit is 10 mph (5 mph when students are present).
  5. The expectation is that ALL students will be dropped off in the student drop-off area located on the south west side of campus behind the gym. Do not allow students to exit the vehicle in any of the traffic lanes. As you enter the campus, veer to the right, stay in line and pull forward to the drop-off/pick-up zone. Children are to exit the vehicle from the passenger side of the car (curb side) of the vehicle; not on the left (or the traffic side) of the vehicle.
  6. Drivers are NOT to exit the vehicle at any time while in the drop-off/pick-up lane. If you need to exit the vehicle, please go to an open parking space. When LEAVING the campus, there is a NO LEFT TURN policy during school hours. Drivers are to ONLY TURN RIGHT (unless otherwise directed by the security/duty personnel*) when exiting the campus from 7:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
  7. Avoid making “U” turns - especially in front of the school. Often “U” turns require backing-up, and turning in front of oncoming traffic, which is dangerous, and oftentimes students/families are darting across the street and are not easily seen. It only takes a few moments to drive around the block to get where you want to be.
  8. Students (and adults) should only cross the street in a designated crosswalk.
  9. For Safety please remember, as the adult you are modeling behaviors that students are emulating. Please Do Not set a bad example. Do not cross yourself or your children at other than the designated crosswalks. Do not park in red or yellow no-parking zones, fire lanes, bus stops, or block our neighbors driveways. Please treat all of the duty personnel with respect and abide by all of the safety expectations while you are on the ADO campus.
  10. Campus gates will be locked during the school day. They are opened on the southwest side of campus (parent drop-off) at 7 a.m. and 1:55 p.m., and walk through gates (northwest and east-side) are opened at 7:35 a.m. and 1:55 p.m.
  11. Parents walking onto campus to pickup their students need to arrange to meet at either the west side courtyard/ northwest gate area, the cafe' patio/gym area, or the south side 4-square courtyard.
  12. Parents and Guardians MAY NOT wait inside the building for students.
  13. Parents of kindergarten students will pick up their students in the east side drive-in round-about or may walk in to meet their child in the kindergarten courtyard at 1:55 p.m.. The same expectations apply in this drop off area as apply to the south west drop off area (see #'s 4, 5 and 6). If you walk with your kindergarten student in the mornings, please enter through the northwest side or east side gate.

Students

  1. Always use the sidewalks coming to school, and when returning home. Do not walk in the street. The streets are for vehicles, and sidewalks are for pedestrians. For your safety, please stay on the sidewalks.
  2. Cross streets only at intersections, using the crosswalks when present. When in the school zone, you should cross at a designated school crosswalk where there is a crossing guard. Follow the directions of your crossing guard. Do not cross until instructed to do so. Because the crossing guard steps into the street, does not mean it is safe for you to do so.
  3. If you must cross the street when leaving a vehicle, or when after school you must cross to get to your ride, please cross only at the crosswalk. Always remember to look both ways before you cross the street.
  4. Walk while in crosswalks. Do not run, ride bicycles, roller skate, roller blade or skateboard in crosswalks.
  5. Always walk your bicycle, scooter, or skateboard while on campus.

Please feel free to communicate with your crossing guards. They are there to serve the students, parents and school staff. Crossing guards are charged with the safety of the children in their assigned crosswalks, as well as the entire school zone. It is not their desire to harass parents or others within the school zone, but to assure the safety of the students. Please be advised, the Albuquerque Police Department does monitor school zones, and will cite violators. Your cooperation is, and will be greatly appreciated.