The Stanislaus County Office of Education (SCOE) is hoping to increase school attendance rates with a new campaign and horse-powered incentive. Themed “Every Day Counts,” all 25 school districts (188 schools with approximately 107,000 students) have embarked on the county-wide campaign.
The campaign will utilize multi-media, including radio and cable TV spots, social media, billboards, posters in school offices and hallways, vinyl banners and window clings to place on windows and vehicles.
A late addition to the campaign strategy was announced on Aug. 9, when the SCOE launched a car giveaway for high school students.
In partnership with Modesto Toyota, a brand new 2024 Toyota Corolla will be awarded to a Stanislaus County public school student who had at least one month of perfect attendance. A student's name is entered into a drawing each month they have perfect attendance. They must have at least a 2.0 GPA and attend all class periods of all school days within the calendar month of August, September, October, November or December 2023 and January, February, March or April 2024.
SCOE school districts include Turlock Unified, Denair Unified and Hughson Unified.
The student who wins the car will also win one year of car insurance, donated by TSM Insurance, plus a year of free car washes from Vintage Car Wash.
“School attendance is a serious issue, one that concerns educators and should concern all of us,” said Stanislaus County Superintendent of Schools Scott Kuykendall. “Regular attendance is not just about meeting the required number of days at school. It plays a pivotal role in a student's overall development and academic success.”
On April 19, schools will select the allotted number of qualified students as semifinalists. Each school’s allotment will be determined at the district level. On May 8, the names of 50 finalists will be published online at www.stancoe.org. The 50 finalists will be invited to a recognition event at Modesto Toyota on May 14, where they will each receive Attendance Certificates from SCOE. Modesto Toyota will also present four tickets to Six Flags Discovery Kingdom to each of the finalist in attendance. And on May 17, Modesto Toyota will arrive to the winner’s school to surprise them with their new Toyota Corolla.
Employees, and the children of employees, of SCOE and Modesto Toyota, any of its
advertising agencies, or affiliates or subsidiaries or advertising agencies, and household
members of any such employees, are not eligible to participate in the contest.
Official rules can be found at www.stancoe.org/families/attendance-matters.
