The race is still on! The fifth six weeks is almost over and the kids are starting to talk about the reward party. The attendance percentages have been really close, but so far 6th grade is still in the lead. The attendance rates are as follows, 6th grade with 92.9 %, 7th grade with 92.4%, and 8th grade with 92%.
As I am still enrolled in School Community Relations, it has occurred to me that if our campus had more parent involvement that perhaps our attendance rates would be stronger. This course has really made it apparent that parent involvement can make a significant impact on student achievement, student attendance, and many other aspects of student education. I hope that I can continue to gain knowledge in this area and make a positive difference on my campus.
Monday, March 26, 2012
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
School Community Relations - Attendance
I'm currently enrolled in School Community Relations and it is only now that I realize the importance of school/parent/community partnerships. I have always believed that the role parents play in their child's education is so important and can make a world of difference in a student's education. However, I am now beginning to understand that having the support of both parents and the community can be so very beneficial.
My action research project has focused on increasing student attendance. It hadn't occurred to me that having more parental support and perhaps a community program on our campus could help improve this issue. If this reward program that I have put together does not prove to improve student attendance, I will have to approach my site supervisor with an alternative. Currently our campus has a PTA, but no other community support. More than anything I want my research project to prove successful, but regardless, I know that students on our campus can benefit greatly from sucha program.
My action research project has focused on increasing student attendance. It hadn't occurred to me that having more parental support and perhaps a community program on our campus could help improve this issue. If this reward program that I have put together does not prove to improve student attendance, I will have to approach my site supervisor with an alternative. Currently our campus has a PTA, but no other community support. More than anything I want my research project to prove successful, but regardless, I know that students on our campus can benefit greatly from sucha program.
Saturday, March 3, 2012
Perfect Attendance Bingo!
It was a success! On Friday March 2nd, all 201 students that had perfect attendance during the fourth six weeks were released during 5th period to participate in Perfect Attendance Bingo. A hand full of students won cash prizes. Many others won gift cards to various local restaurants. Everyone had fun!
Our campus has been promoting the 5th six weeks Attendance Race. Weekly announcements are made reminding our students and updating them on what grade level is leading the race. Currently our sixth grade class is winning the race with 92.8% of students in attendance, followed closely by seventh grade.
After asking my site supervisor whether or not our budget would allow us to serve popcorn and bottled water to our students that will be attending the movie party, I have been informed that it can be done! I am very pleased with this news. I have given a list of popular PG movies to our librarian to review. Together we will be choosing one that we believe our students will enjoy. So far our students are pretty pumped about the upcoming parties. I hope to see continued improvement in student attendance.
Our campus has been promoting the 5th six weeks Attendance Race. Weekly announcements are made reminding our students and updating them on what grade level is leading the race. Currently our sixth grade class is winning the race with 92.8% of students in attendance, followed closely by seventh grade.
After asking my site supervisor whether or not our budget would allow us to serve popcorn and bottled water to our students that will be attending the movie party, I have been informed that it can be done! I am very pleased with this news. I have given a list of popular PG movies to our librarian to review. Together we will be choosing one that we believe our students will enjoy. So far our students are pretty pumped about the upcoming parties. I hope to see continued improvement in student attendance.
Sunday, February 26, 2012
4th Six Weeks Attendance
The 4th six weeks has come to an end and we are now preparing for the "Perfect Attendance Bingo Party" that will be held next Friday, March 3rd. We had a total of 201 students with perfect attendance that will be attending the bingo party. The bingo party will be held in the Cub Cafe (cafeteria) and will be hosted by our three principals. Students will have the chance to win gift cards as well as cash prizes!
The 5th six weeks began February 20th and will end April 13th. We are now ensuing the "Attendance Race" where each grade level will compete to have the best attendance. The grade level with the highest percentage of attendance will win a movie party at the end of the 5th six weeks. The Guitar Hero Monitor has been placed at the front of the school by the library where students will see it as they are walking to class. I will place each grade's placement on the monitor weekly. Announcements will be made weekly as well on Cub News updating studetnts on the grade level that is winning the attendance race. The movie party is tentatively on our campus calendar for May 3rd. We chose to have the party after STAAR testing so we wouldn't chance losing our students' focus.
I have inquired about serving our students popcorn during the movie party. The party will be held after lunch, around 2:30 p.m., so it shouldn't be a problem, but I am still awaiting a response from my administrator. The librarian and I are working on finding a fun yet appropriate movie for the kids to watch. This is going to be a bit tough I'm afraid. We are working with middle school kids so it may be hard to please them. In addition, we are only permitted to show movies that are PG. We will just have to see what we can find.
The 5th six weeks began February 20th and will end April 13th. We are now ensuing the "Attendance Race" where each grade level will compete to have the best attendance. The grade level with the highest percentage of attendance will win a movie party at the end of the 5th six weeks. The Guitar Hero Monitor has been placed at the front of the school by the library where students will see it as they are walking to class. I will place each grade's placement on the monitor weekly. Announcements will be made weekly as well on Cub News updating studetnts on the grade level that is winning the attendance race. The movie party is tentatively on our campus calendar for May 3rd. We chose to have the party after STAAR testing so we wouldn't chance losing our students' focus.
I have inquired about serving our students popcorn during the movie party. The party will be held after lunch, around 2:30 p.m., so it shouldn't be a problem, but I am still awaiting a response from my administrator. The librarian and I are working on finding a fun yet appropriate movie for the kids to watch. This is going to be a bit tough I'm afraid. We are working with middle school kids so it may be hard to please them. In addition, we are only permitted to show movies that are PG. We will just have to see what we can find.
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Calendar Issue
The fourth six weeks "Perfect Attendance Bingo" party is just around the corner and looks like everything is ready to go.
However, I have run into a bit of a snag. After speaking with our administrators, it was brought to my attention that the fifth six weeks Attendance Party cannot occur prior to the state assessment, STAAR. They were concerned about it affecting our students, therefore we have decided to have the party to May 3rd instead of April 19th. I am a bit worried that our students will not see an immediate reward and lose interest in the Attendance Race, but it is our only choice.
The 6th six weeks Attendance Party will take place May 24th, a week before school is out, so that should be interesting as well. I hope that all goes smoothly and that we see some good results.
However, I have run into a bit of a snag. After speaking with our administrators, it was brought to my attention that the fifth six weeks Attendance Party cannot occur prior to the state assessment, STAAR. They were concerned about it affecting our students, therefore we have decided to have the party to May 3rd instead of April 19th. I am a bit worried that our students will not see an immediate reward and lose interest in the Attendance Race, but it is our only choice.
The 6th six weeks Attendance Party will take place May 24th, a week before school is out, so that should be interesting as well. I hope that all goes smoothly and that we see some good results.
Thursday, February 2, 2012
4th Six Weeks Attendance
There are twenty more days left until the end of the fourth six weeks, and I am dreading the day they send the data over from central office. It appears that what I had heard was correct. Attendance is low in the fourth six weeks! Everyone said it, but I didn't want to believe it. The number of absences we have in the sixth grade alone is insane. I have talked to many of my students about why they miss so much school and the reasons are usually the same, "I was sick." I do have a few that have been out for personal reasons, or in some cases their mom/dad was sick and couldn't get them to school. It's been frusterating for the teachers on our campus. It feels like every other day we have multiple parents requesting their child's school work, because their child is out sick and needs to take home their work. Then we have to take the time to try and get the student all caught up when they return. Never mind that they missed an entire unit on Plate Tectonics and that they have a major project due next week. You get the point. Students that are absent from school frequently make it difficult for themselves and their teachers.
The Perfect Attendance Bingo party that we have scheduled for the end of the fourth six weeks is quickly approaching. Only students that have had absolutely perfect attendance will be permitted to attend. This means that they have been present from bell to bell and haven't received even one tardy the entire six weeks. I'm curious to see how many of our students are eligible to attend.
Lastly, I have been informed that I need to set dates for the 5th six weeks party and the 6th six weeks party. I have been waiting for some direction from the two administrators concerning the parties, but it appears that it was my job to set dates and have them put on the calendar. I am slightly worried that there may not be any dates left on our campus calendar. I'm crossing my fingers that it all works out. Wish me luck!
The Perfect Attendance Bingo party that we have scheduled for the end of the fourth six weeks is quickly approaching. Only students that have had absolutely perfect attendance will be permitted to attend. This means that they have been present from bell to bell and haven't received even one tardy the entire six weeks. I'm curious to see how many of our students are eligible to attend.
Lastly, I have been informed that I need to set dates for the 5th six weeks party and the 6th six weeks party. I have been waiting for some direction from the two administrators concerning the parties, but it appears that it was my job to set dates and have them put on the calendar. I am slightly worried that there may not be any dates left on our campus calendar. I'm crossing my fingers that it all works out. Wish me luck!
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Moving Along
The Attendance Race is known by all now on our campus. Memos have gone out, teachers have made announcements, and televised announcments and videos are in full swing. The students seem to be interested, although I am still seeing my "regular" students absent as usual. I use the word "regular" because these are the students that are absent on a regular basis. These students are gone for reasons such as: dentist appointments, stomach aches, surgery, overslept, car broke down, twisted ankle, you get the point. I am hoping that as the end of the fourth six weeks and as the fifth six weeks rolls around, that students will be excited about the attendance competition and that daily attendance will jump up!
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