16 days ago
SHINGLE SPRINGS, CA - They've successfully raised student attendance rates in recent years, but a Sierra Foothill school district is forgoing attendance prizes in an effort to keep kids from catching the H1N1 flu.
Parents in the Buckeye Union School District received a message from Superintendent Terry Wenig on Monday, letting them know that the school board agreed to suspend the district's "Perfect Attendance Program."
"The decision was that in this time of an unprecedented flu season, we don't want to encourage children to come to school if they're not feeling well," Wenig said.
The tiny K-8 district serves about 5,000 students in the communities of Shingle Springs, El Dorado Hills and Cameron Park.
Over the years, Wenig said the district has raised attendance, which in turn boosted test scores and the Average Daily Attendance (ADA) funds from the state.
Students would receive awards for not missing any classes. "We would give them certificates to local restaurants or little plastic bracelet charms they could get at the schools," Wenig said. Last year, students could also won lift tickets to Sierra ski resorts.
If the H1N1 and seasonal flu viruses spark a wave of absenteeism, Wenig said the district may offer students a make-up day.
"Last year when we did it, students could come to school on a Saturday and make up a day that they had been sick. It was well received. We had 900 students come to school on a Saturday," Wenig said.
Wenig said the make-up day won't be necessary this year if parents heed her warning. "It is important to be at school but it's important to stay home and not come if you're not feeling well."
By Karen Massie, kmassie@news10.net
News10/KXTV
