Family Connection

Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026

Attendance Snapshot, Policy, and Expectations

Attendance Poll - How can we help your family build habits of good attendance?

How sick is too sick?

Complete your family's Meal Benefit application!

McKinney-Vento identification

Resources for families:

• Food
• Health and Wellness
• Housing, clothing, and more

In 2025-26, Mapleton's attendance rate as a district was 90.5%

What does this mean?

A 90.5% attendance rate means students are missing about 18 days a year — nearly four weeks of instruction, class time, friendships, and learning.

Regular attendance, as early as preschool and kindergarten, is essential for students to gain the academic and social skills they need to thrive. Research shows that when students are chronically absent, which means missing 10% or more of the school year, or just two to three days a month, they are less likely to read proficiently by third grade, achieve in middle school, and graduate from high school.

Absenteeism in the first month of school can predict poor attendance patterns throughout the year, providing an early warning sign for parents and educators to intervene and put students back on track.

Did you know?

• Students who missed fewer than two days in September typically had good attendance rates for the entire year.

• Half the students who missed between two and four days in September went on to miss a month or more of school, which is known as chronic absence.

• Nearly nine out of 10 students who missed more than four days in September were chronically absent that year.

Preschool and Kindergarten - Build the Habit of Good Attendance

Elementary - Build the Habit of Good Attendance

Middle and Secondary - Build the Habit of Good Attendance

This year, we will once again be encouraging attendance with our Be Present, Be Proud, Be YOU campaign. Visit our webpage for attendance resources and information, and be on the lookout for Be Present, Be Proud, Be YOU posters, stickers, and other special incentives!

In Mapleton, we know that for our students to achieve their dreams, they must understand the power of being present. September is Attendance Awareness Month and, although some absences are unavoidable, we encourage families to build good habits at home by following the tips below.

• Establish a regular bedtime and morning routine.
• Lay out clothes and pack backpacks the night before.
• Create backup plans for getting your child to school if something comes up.
• Avoid extended trips and non-urgent medical appointments when school is in session.
• Make sure your child receives required vaccinations.
• Ensure your child feels safe at school and connect them with emotional support.
• Let your child’s school know if you need help with resources or support.
• Get involved at your child’s school.

Several Mapleton schools were selected to participate in the Denver Broncos Attendance Network, an invitation-only, two-year partnership with the Denver Broncos Foundation, the Colorado Department of Education, and Attendance Works.

This exciting opportunity supports Colorado's Every School Day Matters campaign, a statewide effort to help more students attend school and reduce absences.

Selected Mapleton schools include:

• Academy High School
• Adventure Elementary
• Clayton Partnership School
• Mapleton Early Career Prep (MEC Prep)
• Mapleton Expeditionary School of the Arts (MESA)
• Trailside Academy

Through this partnership, Mapleton will receive additional tools, training, and support to help remove barriers to attendance and ensure every student has the opportunity to thrive.

Over the next two years, our schools will benefit from:

🏈 Guidance from attendance experts to strengthen student supports

📚 New strategies and resources to encourage positive attendance habits

🤝 Collaboration with school districts across Colorado to share successful practices

Stay tuned!

At Mapleton, we're committed to helping families build strong attendance habits. We partner with families to identify concerning attendance patterns early in the year and connect families with the right supports and resources along the way.

Board Policy JH/JHB, Student Attendance and Chronic Absenteeism, outlines Mapleton's commitment to the critical role of consistent school attendance in fostering educational success. Please take a moment to review this policy with your child.

Attendance Requirements: Colorado Compulsory Attendance Laws are limited to students ages 6-17. This policy applies to all students enrolled in Mapleton Public Schools, regardless of age, Preschool – 12th grade.

Excused Absences are absences for which students have been granted permission to be out of school. They include, but are not limited to:

• Illness or injury of the student
• Family emergencies or death in the family
• Medical or dental appointments that cannot be scheduled outside of school hours
• Religious observances
• Court appearances
• School-sponsored events or activities
• Other absences as approved by the school administrator

Unexcused Absences are absences not approved by the school administration. They include, but are not limited to:

• Truancy or skipping school without a valid cause.
• Absences without notification from parents/guardians.
• Absences that do not meet the criteria for an excused absence, regardless of parent or guardian permission.
• Vacation or travel

Truancy is defined as the accumulation of four unexcused absences within any calendar month during the school year or the accumulation of ten unexcused absences over the course of the entire school year, including both full-day and partial-day absences.

Chronic Absenteeism is defined as a student missing 10% or more of the school days (an average of 2 days per month or 17 days over the course of the academic year) for any reason, excused or unexcused.

Make-up Work: Students with excused absences shall be allowed to make up work missed and shall receive full credit for the work completed, subject to reasonable deadlines. Students identified with chronic absenteeism may be required to repeat a course or an entire academic year to learn content and or earn credit

The “How Sick is Too Sick?” guide from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment helps families make those tricky calls about when students should stay home. From fevers and coughs to flu, pink eye, and everything in between, the guide is packed with clear advice to keep our classrooms healthy and learning strong.

Thanks to the Healthy School Meals for All (HSMA) program, Mapleton will continue to provide all students with one free breakfast and one free lunch daily through the 2026-27 school year, regardless of income.

It is still important for all families to complete the Meal Benefits Application.

• State or federal funding for your child's school

• Waived school fees or testing fees (AP testing, PSAT/SAT) or college application fees for your child

• Discounted phone and internet services, bus passes, as well as other utility assistance and state resources (SNAP, TANF, Medicaid, or FDPRI) for your family.

Information provided during the application process is confidential and protected. Only one application per household is needed. The application takes around 15-30 minutes to complete.

Please complete your Student Benefit Application today by visiting the My School Apps page.

The McKinney-Vento Act is a federal law that protects the educational rights and stability of children and youth experiencing homelessness. It ensures that students can continue going to school without disruptions, even if their housing situation changes

Is your family temporarily staying in:

• Someone else’s house or apartment due to loss of housing, economic hardship, or a similar reason?
• Shelter?
• Hotel/motel?
• Car/RV/campground or another inadequate space?
• Unsheltered

If your family is staying in these living situations, your children have the right to receive extra services and support in school under the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act. These include:

• Staying in the same school, even if you move, and receiving free transportation to and from that school if it’s in the student’s best educational interest to stay
• Immediate enrollment, even if you don’t have the documents that are typically required for enrollment
• Receiving free school meals
• Connecting younger children to early childhood services
• College readiness assistance for high school students
• Referrals to the community for help with other needs

If you believe your student may be eligible, please contact Enid Nieves, Student Success Coordinator, McKinney-Vento Liaison, Child Welfare Education Liaison at 303.853.1083 or nievese@mapleton.us.

Wolverine Den Food Pantry – Opening Thursday, Sept. 10!

The Wolverine Den is a free food pantry open to all Mapleton families. The Wolverine Den offers a simple way to pick up essentials each week, including a variety of grocery items and household staples to support your family.

You can visit the Wolverine Den on the southeast side of Achieve Academy (9100 Poze Blvd., Thornton, CO 80229) every Thursday from 9 to 11 a.m. No appointment is needed. Please enter using the ground-level door on the southeast corner of the building, near the gym.

To get started, you can create an account through the Food Bank of the Rockies. This information is kept confidential and shared only with the Food Bank of the Rockies: https://newclient.link2feed.com/

The Wolverine Den is made possible through a partnership between Mapleton Public Schools and Food for Hope, working together to support and nourish our community.

New this year, the Wolverine Den will be open the first Thursday of every month from 4-5:30 p.m. This begins on Thursday, Oct. 1.

The statewide, toll-free Food Resource Hotline is open Monday- Thursday, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., and Friday, 8 a.m.-12 p.m., and helps Coloradans across the state connect with food and nutrition resources. The Hotline is available to all Coloradans, regardless of legal status, in 150+ languages. All caller information is confidential.

Food Resource Hotline: 855.855.4626

Adams County is partnering with the City of Thornton to provide residents of Adams County with free, monthly food and resource drive-thru events.

• Dates and Times:

  • Friday, Sept. 18 from 9:00-10:30 a.m.

  • Friday, Oct. 16 from 9:00 –10:30 a.m.

• Location: Community Connections, 9471 Dorothy Blvd. Thornton 80229

The event will provide:

• Local farm fresh boxes

• Power sacks with shelf-stable food

• Hygiene bags

• Resource folders

  
  

Sign up through the plentiful app to reserve your farm fresh box. Get the Plentiful app, create a profile, and search for ThorntonCC on the map or in the list view to register and make a reservation!

To get started with Plentiful via Text, text ‘FOOD’ to 726-879 (COMIDA can be texted for Spanish speakers), or call 720-977-5819 to sign up.

Kids First provides services to any child or young adult between the ages of 0 and 21, regardless of where they reside. No one between the ages of 0-21 will be denied access to services due to inability to pay, and there is a discounted/sliding fee schedule available based on family size and income.

Pediatric primary care services available include:

• Physical health – well-child check-ups, sports physicals, vaccines, reproductive health, sick visits, management of chronic disease such as asthma, and more.
• Mental health care – brief visits with a counselor, as well as one-on-one therapy.
• Enrollment in Medicaid and CHP+, and support accessing other immediate needs resources.

Alto has a Walk-In Clinic! Walk-In appointments are scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis. Our Walk-In clinic is available at the following times:

• Monday 9 a.m.-3 p.m.; closed for lunch 12-1 p.m.
• Tuesday 11:30 a.m.-5 p.m.; closed for lunch 1-2 p.m.
• Wednesday 9 a.m.-3 p.m.; closed for lunch 12-1 p.m.. Note that the clinic is closed until 11 a.m. for meetings on the 1st and 4th Wednesday of every month.
• Thursday 9 a.m.-3 p.m.; closed for lunch 12-1 p.m.
• Friday 9 a.m.-3 p.m.; closed for lunch 12-1 p.m.
• 
  

Please note the clinic is not an Urgent Care and does not have imaging (X-ray or ultrasound) services.

Kids First Health Care Alto Community Clinic
3075 W. 71st Avenue, Suite 200
Westminster, CO 80030

303-428-4384

2026-27 School Year Annual Parent Letter-English, Spanish, Other Languages

Starting in the 2026-2027 school year, Colorado law requires students to receive a dose of Tdap vaccine before their first day of seventh grade. Moving this requirement from sixth to seventh grade aligns more closely with the AAP recommendation that adolescents receive the Tdap vaccine at age 11-12 years.

• CDPHE Tdap parent letter

Immunization Resources

2026-2027 Childcare immunization table
2027-2028 K-12 immunization table

Adams County Health Department Immunization Clinic
303.451.0123
1401 W. 122nd Ave. Westminster, CO 80234
Immunizations@adamscountyco.gov

By Appointment Only
Mondays 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Tuesdays 1:00 p.m.-4:30 p.m. (open until 7:00 pm on the second Tuesday of the month) Walk-In Thursday 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. (no appointment necessary) Thursday 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

After-Hours Appointments
Second Tuesday of each month, 1 p.m. - 6 p.m.

Walk-In Hours
Wednesday: 8:30 a.m. - 11 a.m. & 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.

Closed daily 12 p.m. - 1 p.m.

Immunize Colorado: https://www.immunizecolorado.org/what-we-do/no-and-low-cost-vaccines/

Shots for Tots and Teens’ goal is to make sure every child receives the immunizations needed to keep them healthy. The program offers low-and-no-cost immunization clinics on convenient dates and times throughout the year in Aurora, Westminster, Longmont, and Lakewood. All recommended immunizations are available for children ages 0 to 18 years and most clinics offer adult vaccines

KIND’s Clinic is housed in the Commerce City Community Campus (C4) and provides low‑cost and no‑cost comprehensive dental care for Colorado children ages 0–18, ensuring every child can access high‑quality treatment regardless of their family’s ability to pay. Services include oral exams, cleanings, sealants, restorative care, emergency treatment, and specialty services offered on a case‑by‑case basis, all delivered by a compassionate team dedicated to creating positive, judgment‑free dental experiences, serving thousands of children each year and helping families build a strong foundation for lifelong oral health.

KIND also hosts Chopper Toppers at several Mapleton schools. Contact your child's school for more information.

Free Youth Therapy: I Matter provides six free and confidential mental health therapy sessions for all Colorado youth 18 and under. Share I Matter with your students and families by visiting IMatterColorado.com.

The 988 Colorado Mental Health Line has officially launched a new Youth Landing Page. This page is designed to meet young people where they are and provide mental health resources in a way that feels accessible, relevant, and supportive. The page offers age-appropriate guidance, stories, and tools that help youth recognize when they need support and know exactly where to turn.

Colorado Mental Health Line | 988 is always available, 24/7, 365 days per year via call, text, or live chat.

Victor Olivas from Adams County Human Services will be available to meet with families and students who need assistance with Medicaid or SNAP benefits. He will be in the district on the first Tuesday of each month from 1-4 p.m.

If you would like support in managing benefits or have questions about eligibility, please contact Enid Nieves, Student Success Coordinator, at 303.853.1083 or nievese@mapleton.us.

The Adams County Resources site is made possible by Adams County, the Adams County Health Department, and the Early Childhood Partnership of Adams County. Use the site to search for financial assistance, food pantries, medical care, housing, transportation, and other free or reduced-cost assistance. The site is available in multiple languages and searches by zip code.

A Precious Child offers support to families with children ages 18 and under who are experiencing financial hardship or an emergency situation. Eligible families can access a cost-free Resource Center that provides clothing, food, diapers, baby essentials, books, toys, and household items. The organization also offers programs that help children participate in sports, arts, education, school supply assistance, and holiday gift support. Families must have a referral from an approved agency partner and live in select Colorado counties to qualify.

For more information or help getting connected, contact Enid Nieves, Student Success Coordinator, at 303-853-1083, or nievese@mapleton.us.

RTD will continue to welcome a future generation of transit users to experience all the benefits at no cost.

Zero Fare for Youth aims to enhance the lives of RTD customers and communities by reducing transportation costs for families. By inviting ages 19 and under to ride at no cost, RTD hopes to remove barriers to education and employment. Check out our How to Ride video.

What Do I Need to Show When I Ride?

To ride at no cost as part of this program, you must be prepared to show one of the following to the bus operator or fare inspector:

• Current school ID
• Valid government-issued ID
• Alien registration/permanent resident card
• Military ID/dependent card with date of birth
• RTD-issued youth special discount card.

To request a RTD-issued youth special discount card please contact: specialdiscount@rtd-denver.com

Athletics

Career and Technical Education

Curriculum and Instruction

District Performing Arts

Early Childhood Education (preschool)

Health Services

Junior Air Force ROTC

Nutrition Services

Transportation