HILLIARD, Ohio — Following an improvement in the attendance record at Hilliard Station, students got the chance to have a little bit of fun.
“We want kids, when they are sick to stay home. When they are not sick, we want them here,” said Hilliard Station 6th grade Principal Erin Dooley
In May, CrimeTracker 10's Lacey Crisp reported increased truancy cases in Franklin County Juvenile Court.
Hilliard Station 6th graders were faced with a challenge: If they had a 95% or better attendance rate for the month of September, they got to "pie" Assistant Principal Matt Trombitas.
With a challenge like that, the students showed up.
“He is always up for the crazy ideas, so we come up with them and he says OK. The kids love him,” Dooley said.
Station had a 93% attendance rate last September and increased that to more than 95% this year.
“Getting here will help them master the content so much more, also help them work through all the social and emotional parts and mental health parts,” Dooley said.
According to the Franklin County Juvenile Court, in 2021, 1,137 kids were reported truant. That number dropped in 2022 to 1,024 but increased by nearly 200 in 2023.
Hilliard schools also saw a dip in attendance.
“We did see a giant drop of attendance and it was partly because of all the tools we put in place over COVID that students could do a lot online and they had access to a lot of the material and curriculum. What we also know is the communities we build here and learning with a teacher and in collaboration with your classmates is really important,” Dooley said.
Students who either had perfect attendance or improved attendance were rewarded with serving a sweet dessert to the face of their assistant principal.
“This might be something they remember and go home and tell their families about it at the supper table, then it just keeps the conversation going,” Dooley said.
“We did this for this challenge. If you want to continue to have fun, continue showing up to school,” Trombitas said.
They'll have another challenge for the month of October.