Comments on: Anger Over 100% Attendance Reward

By: Chris

Chris — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 21:50:15 +0000

I think that there should be awards and incentives for attendance in some capacity. Its been proven that attendance is the strongest predictor of passing high school. Perhaps some schools go over board but there has to be some clear punishments and rewards for attending school.

By: Karlynn Johnston

Karlynn Johnston — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 23:08:05 +0000

Oh, that made me so sad to hear that the kids don’t get to go to the disco if they have been ill! That’s horrible, a child could work so hard all term then be sick, and miss out on the fun, through no fault of their own.

By: Emma

Emma — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 11:16:41 +0000

I think school attendance rewards are ludicrous! I agree that parents should ensure their children go to school whilst they are not sick and should not take children out of school for casual holidays, however, you should not penalise sick children! My case : my 5 year old has chicken pox – my 7 year old is so scared of getting it (even though the doctor advised we should let him get it) that he won’t go near my 5 year old or even sleep in the same room (they share rooms usually), as then he won’t get 100% attendance and will not be able to win a prize or go to the schools term disco for the full 2 hours (you get penalised 1/2 an hour or more for how many days they are off – sick or not). I think all children who want to go to school will desire an ‘achievement award’ and should not get an award based on the fact that they have not been ill. My son so desires it but does not choose or want to have chicken pox (you do not get chicken pox because you are unhealthy). So, please education boards with brains – please have a ‘merit’ system based on achievement (based on the teachers assessment each term for how well that child has perfomed that term – using criteria such as tried hard on reading, writing etc., achieved so much even though they were off 1-2 weeks with an illness out of their control, helped others, showed kindness, good behaviour, basically anything the teacher thinks the child should be rewarded for). Why can’t education boards be sensible please?

By: anita

anita — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 17:24:18 +0000

Fortunate for me my daughter has never been so sick that she could not attend school. She has 100% attendance all through middle school 6, 7 and 8th grade and now she is in the 11th grade, still with 100% attendance. The minor colds she has encountered have happened over the weekend, during a holiday or over the summer. By the grace of God she exhibits healthy eating, and takes vitamins & minerals daily. She should be honored for her attendance, she desires it. She's maintained a 4.0 GPA. Since her school does not honor 100% attendence, an outside organization should.

By: Rebecca

Rebecca — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 22:31:46 +0000

Wow. I'd never even heard of attendance awards before! I cannot believe they exist. I totally agree though. I bet your children learned so much more on their trip than they would've in the classroom. And honestly, I can remember being sick during school and staying home with my Grandma for the day. During those days I learned to knit, cook, crochet… (I was sick…lol). Skills and memories I will cherish forever and far more than a math test.