Waterville Central School District is excited to tip off its March Madness attendance challenge, Stay in the Game! – an initiative designed to encourage students to attend school consistently and stay engaged in their learning. This friendly competition will take place throughout March, tapping into the excitement of college basketball while reinforcing the importance of daily attendance.
“We believe that regular school attendance is essential to student success,” said Superintendent of Schools Dr. Jennifer Spring. “This challenge not only highlights the importance of being present each day but also fosters a sense of community, accountability and school spirit among our students.”
The competition will group students into teams based on their first-period class, with their teacher serving as the team’s coach. At the start of the challenge, each team will receive a baseline attendance percentage based on year-to-date data. Throughout the four-week period, team attendance performance will be tracked and shared among the student body, creating a sense of excitement and motivation. At the conclusion of the Stay in the Game!, the teams with the highest average daily attendance will be recognized, and those demonstrating the most significant improvement will receive Most Valuable Player (MVP) awards. In addition, the grade level with the highest attendance will be awarded a custom-made trophy (and bragging rights), crafted by students in the school’s technology program, which will be proudly displayed in the school’s main entrance. The district hopes to establish Stay in the Game! as an annual tradition that inspires students to make attendance a priority.
The Waterville Central School District Foundation has generously provided funding for prizes, further motivating students to take part in the challenge. Dr. Spring expressed her appreciation for the Foundation’s support, stating, “We are incredibly grateful for the Foundation in making this initiative even more exciting for our students. Their partnership plays a key role in fostering a positive school culture and encouraging students to take ownership of their learning.”
Waterville Central School District has been serving the local community for over 150 years and is dedicated to fostering academic excellence, personal growth, and lifelong learning for every student. The Stay in the Game! attendance challenge is just one of the many initiatives designed to support students on their educational journey and reinforce the district’s commitment to their success.
For more information on the attendance challenge or to get involved, please contact Dr. Spring at jspring@watervillecsd.org or the building principals for more information.
Jr./Sr. High School: Andre Paradis at aparadis@watervillecsd.org
MPS: Kathy Zangrilli at kzangrilli@watervillecsd.org
