We've Got The County Covered
We've Got The County Covered
Ten Meadowlark Elementary students with perfect attendance for the 2015-2016 school year pose with their new bicycles during the end-of-school awards ceremony. The bicycles were donated by American Garage, in Chinook, to emphasize the importance of school attendance. Heather and Scott DePriest, owners of American Garage, say they plan to continue the program each year and hope there will be more students achieving perfect attendance in the future.
Perfect attendance during the 2015-2016 school year paid off in a big way for 10 students at Meadowlark Elementary in Chinook. For a year of perfect attendance, not even one tardy day, each received a brand new bicycle. The bicycles were courtesy of American Garage, a local automotive repair facility in Chinook. It was the first year for the 'school attendance promotion' but, according to American Garage co-owner Heather DePriest, "It won't be the last year for the program. We plan to continue it and hope even more students will have perfect attendance and be winners next year."
DePriest said she got the idea from husband Scott's aunt in Coeur d'Alene. The Idaho school gave a bicycle to one student, with perfect attendance, in each grade level. Heather said, "We called the school in Idaho to learn about the program and decided we would give a new bike to every kid at Meadowlark with perfect attendance." Melissa Evans, the school secretary who compiled the list of winners from school records said, "We had to draw a line on what constituted perfect attendance. 'Perfect' meant no days missed, no days tardy. We had some students with perfect attendance but had tardy days."
The presentation of the bicycles was the last part of the end-of-school awards program on the last day for the current school year. After a number of awards by individual teachers at each grade level and some overall special recognitions, Meadowlark Jon Martin introduce Scott and Heather as 'community partners.' Noting the importance of attendance for a successful academic career, Heather explained all students, with perfect attendance, would be recognized for their achievement.
As each of the 10 winners was named, they came to the front of the assembly and stood as a group. Heather then announced each student would be receiving a new bicycle. She signaled to the back of the gymnasium and employees of American Garage, all in matching tee-shirts, rolled the new bicycles toward the waiting group of winners. There were lots of "oohs" and "aahs" from the students at the assembly and some excited jumping up and down from the winners. Each winner was pointed to a bicycle specially chosen for them.
None of the students knew there was going to be such grand prizes given at the final awards program. Two of DePriest's children won bicycles. Heather said, "Even our own kids didn't know what was going on. They saw all the bikes in the garage but didn't realize where the bikes were headed."
As the students lined up with their new bicycles for a photo opportunity, Heather said to the other students, "When you miss even one day of school you lag behind. Attending school is really important and we hope more of you will win new bicycles next year." A quick assessment of the audience suggested there were already some students contemplating the prospects of a new bicycle next May.
The "Journal" congratulates the Meadowlark winners for their perfect attendance and thanks American Garage for its gracious gift to emphasize the importance of school attendance.
