General Allen Kicks-Off Attendance Reward Program for 2017-2018 School Year!

District Attorney General Charme Allen had exciting news Monday morning for the students at East Knox County Elementary School in Mascot, Tennessee.  With Principal Kristi Woods by her side, General Allen announced that their school was selected to participate in the DA’s Office Attendance Reward Program for the 2017-2018 school year.  The excited students, teachers, and staff were gathered at an assembly on Monday, October 23rd to hear the thrilling news.  General Allen cheerfully spoke to the students to encourage them to excel in school and strive for perfect attendance.

Through the program, the DA’s Office Community Affairs Unit, headed by Director Emily Scheuneman, will provide new bicycles and helmets for students at the school who achieve perfect attendance for the remainder of the fall and spring semesters.  Kids must attend school every day between October 23, 2017 and May 4, 2018 with NO absences – excused or unexcused.  If they have appointments, they must attend at least half the school day to be counted present and must have a doctor’s note.  Our Truancy Coordinator Robin Jones and Community Affairs Director Emily Scheuneman jointly helped General Allen launch this year’s program.

As part of our Truancy Reduction Initiative, the Attendance Reward Program, now in its 3^rd year, will hopefully create an incentive for students and give them a goal to reach throughout the year.  Evidence shows that students who regularly come to class and complete their education are far less likely to enter the criminal justice system.  Missing even one day of school can be detrimental to students.  This program rewards students who go above and beyond the normal attendance policy.  Previous schools that have been selected to participate include Maynard Elementary School, Sunnyview Primary School, and Dogwood Elementary School.

If you have any questions regarding the Community Affairs Unit, please contact the Community Affairs Director at dag@knoxcounty.org. or 865-215-2515.