2017-2018 Principal Attendance Awareness Challenge
A significant part of the 2017 Attendance Awareness Campaign was an effort to recognize those superstar principals who are actively engaging parents, students, and staff to improve attendance and decrease chronic absence by implementing effective site-based strategies.
Principals were invited to complete an online survey describing their rate of chronic absenteeism and to identify the strategies and tools used to raise awareness of the importance of attending school every day. Additionally, they were asked to describe what incentives they used to promote consistent attendance and how they addressed specific barriers faced by their students. Responses were rated based on points allotted for each question and used to determine the winners of this challenge.
Due to a generous donation from Phillips 66, a $10 gift card was awarded to all respondents who completed the survey. Additionally, $500 for the grand prize winner, $300 for the second place winner, and $200 for the third place winner. The three winners and all who completed the survey were also recognized in the 2018 Attendance Awareness Calendar.
Pictured from left to right, Superintendent Karen Sakata; Jessica Petrilli, Helms Middle School; Alison Huie, Sylvester Greenwood Academy; Jeff Wallace, John Swett High School; Laura Casdia, Ayers Elementary; Linn Kiffinger, Ygnacio Valley Elementary; County Board President, Fatima Alleyne, PH.D.
Grand Prize Winner
Jeff Wallace, John Swett High School, John Swett Unified School District
Second Place Winner
Alison Huie, Sylvester Greenwood Academy, West Contra Costa Unified School District
Third Place Winner
Jessica Petrilli, Helms Middle School, West Contra Costa Unified School District
Runners Up
Lindsay Wisely, Antioch Middle School, Antioch Unified School District
Annie Flores-Aikey, Carquinez Middle School, John Swett Unified School District
Tawny Leonard, Gehringer Elementary, Mt. Diablo Unified School District
Patti Bannister, Diablo View Middle, Oakley Union Elementary School District
Katherine Acosta-Verprauskus, Montalvin Manor Elementary, Antioch Unified School District
Peter Aloo, Stewart Elementary, West Contra Costa Unified School District
Farnaz Heydari, Grant Elementary, West Contra Costa Unified School District
Edith Jordan-McCormick, El Cerrito High, Antioch West Contra Costa Unified School District
Kibby Kleiman, Pinole Valley High, Antioch West Contra Costa Unified School District
Phillips 66 donated the funds that made this challenge possible.