With Flu Threat, Schools Rethink Perfect Attendance Awards

Attaining a perfect attendance award in school traditionally has been a much-coveted feat, but this year schools don't necessarily want students to be so devoted.

The lure of prizes or medals can be so strong that some students come to school even when they are sick, but with swine flu swirling, school districts around the country want to make sure sick youngsters stay home.

The Basehor-Linwood School District in Leavenworth County is considering suspending its perfect attendance award in favor of "outstanding attendance" awards to students who miss three or fewer days due to illness. It is the district's way of trying to prevent the spread of the H1N1 virus.

"We have a lot of ambitious students who strive to receive perfect attendance, and we want to encourage those kids to stay home when sick," said David Howard, Basehor-Linwood district superintendent. "Our goal is to keep everyone — students and teachers — healthy at school this year."

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But these awards are not the reason people send sick kids to school. Usually, it's because people have to work so much and can't afford to miss work to stay home with a sick child.

:dem:

-Laelth