Hi, all-- Each year, we normally have a handful of students who have had perfect attendance (zero tardies, zero early-outs, and zero absences). This year, however, we've got 29 students who've met the above criteria. At my last site, we purchased watches for the students with perfect attendance (you know...so they can continue to keep an eye on the time). Not sure what to do this year, though, since there's such a hefty number of kiddos. Any thoughts or ideas? Thanks for your help, YTG
Something similar to this would be my thought, too. Easy to please all of them without having to have them be absent (ha ) from classes much of any. (Granted, I'm completely against perfect attendance rewards, but that's a whole different conversation.)
Give them some options like pizza party, bowling or movies etc and let them take a vote. If you think they have earned this reward then giving them a choice makes it seem more of a reward.
I agree ... I don't want children who are throwing up with fevers coming to school! I would be more willing to give gifts to parents who follow the 24 hour fever free/vomit rule! Our school does give out attendance awards quarterly though. They get a coupon for a free meal at Chili's or Chick Fila.
I think perfect attendance awards have their merits depending on the student. For example, they are motivators for some at-risk youth who are chronically truant. I remember this kid who attended my high school years ago and he was absent every other day each year. However, during his senior year he surprised everyone and took a ton of classes at the school and online to graduate and he showed up every day. When he received the perfect attendance award, he received a standing ovation from all the teachers, staff, and students who knew his life struggles (he had to take care of his siblings because his single mom couldn’t find a babysitter). I think in those instances, perfect attendance awards are valuable. Otherwise, I don’t particularly care for them.
I'm wondering if you could find a cheaper type of watch by buying them in bulk? If you typically give a watch, won't the ones who aspired to get the watch be disappointed? As to perfect attendance, it is sometimes the only goal a student can reach. I find that some kids want recognition, but can't get scholastic or sport awards. Also, in my experience, most people who help their kids reach this goal are very mindful of the health issue. It is a source of family pride to help them attain that goal, but not at the expense of the health of their child or other children. It's kind of like a no hitter in baseball. You keep hoping you make it til it's over.
That's a good idea. I just went on Amazon and typed in "bulk watches" and they offer 10 watches for $24.99. I am not sure about the quality of these watches vs. the quality of the watches usually offered to the students, but seems pretty affordable.
You could get some watches with the school logo printed on them pretty cheaply somewhere like Discount Mugs.
Thank you for this wonderful idea! I presented it to my parent club president and we’re going to order them!
I think if you don't give a similar item, the students and families will be very upset. I also wouldn't get absolute junk. You may have to re-think for future years what the award will be and let them know in advance. The one thing I hate about perfect attendance is that it also punishes those who have no choice but to miss, those who get an illness that requires them to stay home such as strep or pink eye or those who have deaths in the family and must attend the funerals. I understand the idea of encouraging students to attend, but it is a shame when something they can't help and have no control over makes them not receive a reward.
I have to admit, even as a staff member, I get uncomfortable getting Perfect Attendance recognition. I am a single woman with no children. I have an unfair advantage. Keep the shiny and give it to someone who has raised test scores or has made progress from last years evaluations.
Zelda, I understand what you mean. However, recognizing someone who lives to be 100, or someone whose marriage lasts 50 years also is somewhat unfair for the same reasons--health, luck, longevity, life circumstances. It's just cool that they made it, not that we disparage someone who doesn't make it. I think it is great you attend every day. I work with lots of single people who don't come every day. It is an accomplishment combined with luck, good health and blessing. Congrats on getting perfect attendance! Young Teacher Guy, glad you were able to find something your parent teacher association could get behind that still is an equivalent tribute to the kids. Yay! It's a win!
When I was in elementary school all students with perfect attendance got a 2 liter of pop (soda). Middle school and high school didn't get anything. The school I teach at now (grades K-6) gets a bike for kids with perfect attendance (I don't recall there being more than 2 per year in the 5 years I have been here).
That was the gift for perfect attendance in my middle school (PA for all threee years). I almost won it too but then I got the flu the day right before Christmas one year. My mom was crazy about the whole perfect attendance thing. She almost made me go to school that day and then my dad intervened.
I am completely serious about the bike! Last year I had a student that got her 2nd or 3rd bike for perfect attendance in 2nd grade (I can't remember, she might have missed 1 day either 1st or 2nd grade). Like I said, I have never seen more than 2 given out per year out of a student body of 250ish K-6.
One year an elementary school I worked at promised any students who got either of the top two score levels on the standardized test in any section a bike. The previous year, they had 20 students do that, so they expected to need at more 30 bikes. Well, I don't know if it was just super motivating, or if the new curriculum worked, or the state recentered the scores, or what, but almost 200 students accomplished that! The poor principal managed to find enough donors to get enough bikes. The looks on their faces at that assembly with all of those bikes everywhere was priceless! But, it's always careful to make sure you're willing to follow through when you offer a prize...
