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Good Attendance, Behavior Lead To Exciting Experiences With Local Businesses

Jefferson Middle School students Amber Gleason, Kayley Keppel, Jaelyn Baca and Gabriella Armeli, enjoy ice skating at Northwest Arena as part of the school’s Gold/Silver Card Program.

Bowling at Jamestown Bowling Company, ice skating at Northwest Arena, going to the Reg Lenna Center for the Arts to see a movie, roller skating at the Russell Roller Rink and bingo parties are just a few of the rewards Jefferson Middle School students receive when they show good behavior and attendance.

“We have received a lot of support from local businesses and are thrilled that they partner with us to provide our kids with experiences that they may not otherwise get to have,” said Jefferson Middle School Principal Leslie Melquist. “We all like to earn rewards and the percentage of our kids who were chronically absent is 15.3%, which is down from 23.1% last school year. Additionally, the percentage of our students who have been suspended out of school is down from 4.3% to 3.9%. This data shows that the program is working. This program puts the kids in charge of earning their rewards and they look forward to the rewards every month.”

The program, similar to the one at Jamestown High School started by Dr. Mike McElrath, encompasses all Jefferson students attending school regularly and following school rules/expectations. Students earn gold/silver cards based on good behavior and attendance. This program is in addition to students receiving tickets for being responsible, respectful, and safe. Gold card rewards are earned each month if the student has zero absences or tardies to school and zero behavioral referrals for the month. Silver card rewards are earned each month if the student has zero referrals, and either one absence or one tardy. The program refreshes every month, so if a student gets sick or has a behavior slip up, they still can earn rewards the following month.

Another attendance incentive that Jefferson is doing this year is a grade-level competition to Cedar Point. In June, the grade level that has the highest average daily attendance for the year will be boarding coach buses and heading to Cedar Point for the day. There is a giant poster illustrating which grade level is in the lead and it is updated every month. They make bi-monthly announcements so students know who is currently in the lead and when there has been a change. Jefferson Middle School has had multiple days this year where grade levels have had 100% daily attendance. The students are really into the competition and are all hoping to win the trip.

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