DO you think it is good to reward perfect attendance? IF so, why?

[TravelingChris]

I have to say that I believe that perfect attendance is a matter of exceptionally good health and some luck. If my children were in schools, they would never win. Between surgeries, strep throats, severe allergy reactions, fractures and moves dictated by the military, we would never have perfect attendance at schools. The fact that some child gets through 13 years with no communicable disease during the school year, no surgeries or hospitalizations, no visits to specialists in other cities because there were no specialists in your town, etc, etc, is in my eyes more of a curiosity rather than any accolade on its own accord.

[Amy in NH]

Well, many/most schools get their state funding based on Average Daily Attendance.

And some/many parents keep their kids/let their kids stay out of school for really trivial reasons not related to illnesses.

[eternalknot]

I get the justification behind it, and understand the different reasonings for it, ... but no, I don't think it is a good idea to REWARD it. I can see a small acknowledgement being warranted, because luck or not - it's a pretty remarkable thing to not miss a single day!

 

Philosophical reasons aside, children with communicable diseases still show up - sick or not. Same goes for adults who are rewarded at work for perfect attendance.

 

I'm not a fan of the reward system in general, so I have a bias.

[jujsky]

I don't agree with it for school, but I do agree with it for activities. My DD's dance class rewards perfect attendance, and I like that. I think when a child makes a commitment to a team or group activity where other people are counting on them to show up, they need to honor that commitment. Children who do deserve to be recognized for giving it their all. If DD is sick (which she hasn't been this year on a Thursday) they allow you to take a make-up class within 2 weeks. Once in awhile she hasn't felt like going, and I've reminded her about the award and the commitment she's made to the girls in her class, and she has immediately changed her tune.

[Jennay]

No, not really.

I had perfect attendance quite a few times in elementary school - I think my mom was proud of that - but I know for a fact I went to school sick at least a few times.

[Pamela H in Texas]

I get it but I think it is unfair.

 

AND though I understand it from their side, I'll keep my kid home from school when *I* deem it okay, right, best, helpful, etc not when the school does (which would be never, I would guess).

[AuntieM]

Well, is the award really for the kid, or for the parent whose responsibility it is to get the kid to the activity? I see so many kids at AWANA who would love to come every week, but their folks just aren't that invested. Not the kid's fault, kwim?

 

That said, I do believe extraordinary efforts should be rewarded, so I'm not entirely against it, either. For me, the true meaning of such an award has a lot to do with the child's age and access to reliable transportation. And, as another already mentioned, a great streak of good health!

[lgm]

Perfect Attendance would happen more often if certain parents would obey the rules on fever, strep, and pinkeye (KEEP THE KID HOME while contagious) and keep the kid home 24 hours after the last vomiting incident. We've had several years now where the kid would've had perfect attendance if not for the known pinkeye contagious child in his class (mother feels she cannot trust child to anyone else so if she's scheduled to work, he comes to school instead of staying home)

 

Currently, if you clean up the symptoms (wipe the pinkeye evidence, reduce fever with aspirin) and send the kid to school, they will be counted as present for the day even though they'll be sent home sick when the next set of evidence presents. This could be changed by moving the hour at which attendance is taken from 1.5 hrs after start to 15 minutes before the end of the day. Then, I'd be happy with a perfect attendance award. Until then, let's make it 95% and up..which is what the state is asking for.

[Melissa B]

I think it is nice to acknowledge, but not reward. My father and his sister made the local paper. My father made it through twelve years of school without missing a day. The only person during the history of the school to have a better record was my aunt (his older sister) who made it through thirteen years without missing a day. My father caught the chicken pox in kindergarten. :D

 

I cringe to think of them going to school with colds, viruses, etc. Supposedly, they were quite healthy though. They both had to work/play in the family grocery from the time they were small, so they were exposed to quite a bit before starting school. But it is quite a feat to have both your children in school for 12 years without missing a day. After all, I skipped my first day of school in seventh grade and don't dare mention how many I had skipped by the time I graduated. :blush:

[Only me]

First of all I think it is mostly a matter of luck. How many people can truly say they have never had a fever, stomach virus or strep throat.

 

I also hate it when people send their sick kids to school and infect everyone else. I can understand a mild cold but if the child has a fever or has been throwing up there is no way you should send them until they have been free of symptoms for 24 hours. Also it seems that one kid could have a relatively mild illness but give it to someone else who doesn't tolerate it as well.

 

At the high school I've heard of kids going with strep throat or stomach virus. They just load up with medication to get it through the day but then spread it to someone else.

[jenn-]

I think I know the article that sparked this thread, and although I think they should definitely be commended, I don't think any huge reward should be doled out. I actually feel sorry for the girl that had perfect attendance and straight A's since 4th grade. Yes it is a great accomplishment but she is the type of student that will have no clue what to do when she gets her first B in college.