Hayden Peak Elementary

5120 W Hayden Peak Dr, West Jordan, UT 84081

Welcome to Hayden Peak Elementary, proud home of the Hawks! Since opening our doors in West Jordan City in August 1999, we have dedicated ourselves to fostering a safe, caring, and vibrant learning climate for approximately 650 students in grades K–6.

At Hayden Peak, our highly qualified educators work tirelessly to ensure academic excellence. Our curriculum meets or exceeds all state and district standards, and we are proud to offer specialized instruction through our dedicated Special Education program. We believe in creating a space where every child can master essential skills, explore unique learning experiences, and develop a strong sense of self-worth.

Our Daily Schedule We follow a traditional elementary calendar. The school day begins promptly at 8:30 a.m. (with doors opening at 8:25 a.m.) and concludes at 3:05 p.m. On Fridays, we dismiss early at 12:30 p.m., allowing our teachers time to collaborate, plan lessons, and participate in professional development to better serve your children.

Healthy Body, Focused Mind To keep our students energized and ready to learn, we serve nutritious, well-balanced breakfasts and lunches every day. Reduced-rate and free meals are available to families in need. In our classrooms and hallways, we uphold the district dress standard, and expect our students to arrive on time, participate fully, and show respect to everyone.

It Takes a Village We are incredibly fortunate to have a supportive community of PTA officers and parent volunteers who donate hours of service each week. We warmly encourage you to volunteer and stay active in your child's educational journey. When visiting, please remember to stop by the front office to sign in, as student safety is our top priority.

We appreciate the privilege of educating your child and welcome you to the Hayden Peak family. If you ever have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact your child's teacher or visit us in the front office!

Schoolwide Attendance Plan

1. Rationale: Why Attendance Matters

At Hayden Peak Elementary we believe that consistent school attendance is the foundation for academic success, social-emotional growth, and future readiness. Every day a student misses school is a lost opportunity for learning, collaboration, and community building.

Research shows that regular attendance directly correlates with higher reading proficiency, stronger math skills, and increased graduation rates. Conversely, poor attendance patterns established early in a student's academic career can create compounding learning gaps. We are committed to partnering with families to ensure every student is present, engaged, and supported every day.

2. Core Attendance Issues & Definitions

To effectively address attendance barriers, [School Name] recognizes and tracks specific types of absenteeism as defined by district policy and Utah State Law:

Chronic Absenteeism: Defined as missing 10% or more of the academic year for any reason. This includes excused absences, unexcused absences, suspensions, and time missed due to changing schools. Chronic absenteeism focuses on the total amount of lost instructional time.
Truancy: Defined by UCA § 53G-6-201(7)(a) as a condition in which a school-age child, without a valid excuse, is absent for at least half of the school day.
Tardiness: Arriving to class after the designated start bell.

3. Shared Roles and Responsibilities

Maximizing student attendance is a collaborative effort requiring commitment from all stakeholders:

Students

Arrive at school and to all classes on time daily, prepared to learn.
Take initiative to check for and complete make-up work following an absence.
Adhere to school check-in and check-out procedures.

Parents / Legal Guardians

Ensure students arrive at school on time every day.
Notify the school office within five school days of the absence to excuse an absence, providing a valid reason (e.g., illness, family emergency).
Monitor student attendance and academic progress via the Skyward.
Partner with school staff to resolve underlying barriers to regular attendance.

Classroom Teachers

Take accurate attendance within the first 10 minutes of the beginning of school.
Create a welcoming, engaging, and safe classroom environment that motivates attendance.
Welcome returning students warmly and provide clear pathways for them to complete make-up work.
Contact parents directly when a student develops an early pattern of absences or tardies (e.g., 3 consecutive or cumulative unexcused absences).

School Administrators

Oversee the implementation of the schoolwide attendance plan.
Review schoolwide and individual student attendance data weekly.
Ensure timely communication with parents regarding attendance concerns.
Collaborate with the multi-disciplinary team to deploy appropriate interventions and community resources.
Submit this attendance plan annually to the respective Administrator of Schools for review and approval.

4. Attendance Management Procedures

Situation	Procedure / Requirement
Illness & Medical	Parents must notify the main office via phone on the day of the absence. A doctor’s note may be requested for absences exceeding three school days.
Check-In (Late Arrival)	Students arriving late must report to the front office to receive a check-in/tardy slip before heading to class.
Check-Out (Early Departure)	A parent/guardian or an authorized adult on the emergency card must physically sign the student out at the front office. Students will not be released to walk home alone early.
School Activity Absences	Absences due to school-sponsored field trips, athletic events, or academic competitions are marked as "School Activity" and do not count against chronic absenteeism metrics. Students are responsible for arranging make-up work prior to the event.

Guidelines for Making Up Academic Work

Students are allowed [e.g., 2 days] for every 1 day of excused absence to submit missed assignments for full credit.
For extended pre-arranged absences (e.g., family weddings, unavoidable travel), parents must submit a pre-arranged absence form at least one week in advance. Students should request work ahead of time when possible and complete an Educational Leave Form.
Teachers will utilize [Canvas/Google Classroom] to ensure assignments are accessible remotely.

5. Continuum of Interventions & Consequences

Hayden Peak Elementary utilizes a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) for attendance, prioritizing positive reinforcement and early intervention, with disciplinary and legal actions reserved as a last resort.

Universal Supports (Tier 1)

Positive Behavior Interventions (PBIS): Implementation of schoolwide incentives, rewards, and recognition for excellent or significantly improved attendance.
Clear Communication: Regular reminders in school newsletters and automated notifications to parents for any unexcused absence.

Targeted Interventions (Tier 2)

When a student triggers early warning signs for truancy or chronic absenteeism, the school will implement the following progressive interventions:

Counseling & Mentoring: School counselor will meet with the student to identify and address emotional, social, or academic barriers to attendance.
Attendance Contracts: Collaborative meeting with the student, parent, and administration to sign an attendance performance contract.
Schedule/Curriculum Adjustments: If necessary and appropriate for the student's developmental level, the school may modify the student’s academic schedule or curriculum to better meet their needs.
Parent-Proposed Alternatives: Administration will actively consider reasonable, legal alternative education options or accommodations proposed by the parent or legal guardian.
Resource Provisions: Provide parents with an curated list of community resources, housing/transportation support, or mental health services available to resolve attendance barriers.

Intensive Interventions & Legal Options (Tier 3)

Voluntary Truancy Mediation: If available via district or community partners, families will be invited to participate in voluntary mediation to resolve deep-seated attendance issues.
Community Agency Assistance: Enlisting the active assistance and resources of local community-based agencies, social services, or mobile crisis teams.
Court Referrals (Last Resort): In strict accordance with UCA § 63G-8-211-4(a), a referral to the juvenile court for truancy will only be issued as an absolute last resort. This step will only be taken after all Tier 1 and Tier 2 interventions have been exhausted, documented, and proven unsuccessful, and the student continues to meet the statutory definition of truancy without compliance.

AA432 – Student Attendance and Teacher Disclosure Statements