Incentivizing Elementary Attendance

ZANESVILLE, Ohio – Have you ever wondered which vital skill of basic education kids are missing each day they’re not attending school?

Zane Grey Intermediate School Assistant Principal Judy Tolley shared how her school is incentivizing attendance so that kids can be taught the skills that will make their coursework come easier as they progress toward high school.

“We’re asking our students to pledge to have perfect attendance,” Tolley said. “So we got banners from our wonderful department at the high school and we are having every grade level sign. Because our theme is ‘Happy Camper’ this year, we have four Happy Camper banners. So next year, with our new theme, we will introduce to the 3rd Grade a different banner. And we will move these banners from hallway to hallway as the students go through the 6th Grade.” 

Zane Grey Intermediate believes that learning environments should be conducive toward positive experiences, so the school is incentivizing Personal Behavior Interventions and Supports.

“We have what we call a… Blue Devil Bucks,” Tolley said. “We give those out for any of the three R’s, Ready, Respectful or Responsible. And they can spend those for prizes on our PBIS carts on Tuesday’s and Thursday’s. The kids seem to be a little excited about it. So we’re hoping that… If they’re not here, we can’t educate them and that’s the biggest thing. So we’re hoping to get them excited about it, incentivize and be ready.”

With children from 3rd through 6th grade, parents play a significant role in their child’s attendance. Tolley said the school is also reaching out to parents in order to help find solutions in regard to issues that might be hindering the students’ attendance, as well.