North Royalton Middle School (NRMS) is adding a little fun to an important goal this school year: encouraging students to be in school each day.
NRMS held its first surprise “Attendance Day” this week, giving students who were present a chance to win a special prize. Students checked underneath their chairs to see if they had a purple Bear Paw sticker. Those who found one were winners and received either a Dairy Queen gift certificate or Crocs charms. The best part? Students never know when Attendance Day is coming.
NRMS plans to hold a surprise Attendance Day once a week as a fun way to encourage good attendance and remind students that being at school matters.
The effort comes as Ohio schools place an increased focus on chronic absenteeism. Under updated state attendance requirements, a student is considered chronically absent when they miss at least 10% of the minimum required instructional hours during the school year. Time missed for any reason, including excused and unexcused absences, counts toward chronic absenteeism. Tardiness, early dismissals and time away from school for appointments also count as missed instructional time.
According to the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, missing just two to three days per month can put a student on track to be considered chronically absent. Regular attendance helps students stay connected to their teachers and classmates while keeping up with classroom learning.
“At NRMS, students now have one more reason to make every school day count,” said Principal Jasminne Wessel. “ You never know when there might be a winning purple Bear Paw sticker waiting under your chair!”