Middletown City School District has introduced a new program aimed at improving student attendance, featuring prizes and a partnership with Cincinnati Bengals running back Chase Brown. The initiative, named “Show Up, Rise Up,” targets students in grades seven through twelve to address the district's chronic absenteeism rates.
Key Takeaways
- Middletown City Schools launched the “Show Up, Rise Up” program for 7th-12th graders.
- The initiative offers rewards like gift cards and a VIP Bengals experience for perfect attendance during specific weeks.
- Rules for perfect attendance are strict, prohibiting any absences, excused or unexcused, and early dismissals.
- The district's chronic absenteeism rate has decreased from 45% to 35% with ongoing efforts.
A New Strategy to Get Students in Seats
Officials at Middletown City School District are taking a proactive approach to a persistent problem: getting students to class every day. The district officially launched its “Show Up, Rise Up” initiative at a pep rally at Middletown High School, with a clear focus on motivating older students.
The program is structured around three specific weeks between October and December. Students in grades seven through twelve who achieve perfect attendance during these periods will be eligible for rewards. The weeks designated for the challenge are October 27-31, November 10-14, and December 8-12.
Superintendent Deborah Houser emphasized the program's broader goal beyond just school attendance. “We talk about it in school, but really it’s setting the precedent for life, showing up in everything you do,” she said.
Incentives and Strict Rules
To encourage participation, the district has partnered with local businesses to offer tangible rewards. Students with perfect attendance will receive gift cards for restaurants including Buffalo Wild Wings, Jersey Mike’s, and Cassano’s Pizza.
A grand prize is also on the table: a VIP Bengals Experience. This top-tier reward aims to create significant excitement among the student body. However, the requirements to win are stringent.
The Rules for Rewards
During the designated weeks, students must have a flawless attendance record. An administrator explained the rules clearly at the launch event: “No early release, no absences, excused or unexcused.” This strict policy underscores the district's serious commitment to the initiative.
The clear, no-exception rule is designed to ensure fairness and to emphasize that every moment of instructional time is valuable.
A Professional Boost from the Bengals
Adding star power to the initiative's launch, Cincinnati Bengals running back Chase Brown appeared at the pep rally to speak directly with students. His message was one of encouragement and motivation.
“I think for them it’s just giving them motivation to show up every single day, because you never know what they’re going through,” Brown said, highlighting the importance of consistent effort.
Brown’s presence served to connect the program's message of 'showing up' to the discipline required in professional sports and other life endeavors, making the concept more relatable for students.
Addressing the Root of the Problem
The “Show Up, Rise Up” program is the latest in a series of efforts by the district to tackle chronic absenteeism. Superintendent Houser reported that these strategies are showing results, with the rate of chronic absence dropping from a high of 45% to its current level of approximately 35%.
A student is considered chronically absent if they miss at least 10% of their total instructional hours. Houser explained that the reasons for these absences are often complex and varied.
Barriers to Attendance
According to Superintendent Houser, a variety of factors can prevent a student from getting to school. These can include:
- Transportation issues, such as missing the bus with no alternative ride.
- Student illness.
- Rising instances of anxiety among school-aged children.
- Lack of basic necessities, such as clean clothes.
By understanding these underlying issues, the district aims to create supportive measures alongside incentive-based programs. The simple, direct message of the new campaign is intended to cut through these challenges.
“It’s a very simple message, it’s important that you show up at school,” Houser stated. The district hopes that by combining positive reinforcement with a clear message, more students will make attendance a top priority, building habits that will serve them long after graduation.