SAN YSIDRO – Students from San Ysidro School District’s Vista del Mar Elementary who maintained perfect attendance during the month of August were rewarded with a celebratory dance party on Friday, Sept. 16.

The dance party took place during lunchtime with 244 students of the 567 student body in attendance, dancing away in the school’s multipurpose room – a large space with an open floorplan perfect for students to strut their stuff on the dance floor. The party included students from TK to third grade.

“I had so much fun at the Perfect Attendance Dance Party,” Vista del Mar third-grader Gael Lopez said. “I’m excited for the next one.”

As a reward for their effort and commitment, students received attendance certificates and a free-dress pass so they could set aside their school uniforms for the day and don their dance-party best.

“It is important to recognize the effort parents and students make to maintain perfect attendance,” Vista del Mar Elementary Principal Maria Rodriguez said. “Our dance party was a tremendous success because it provided a great incentive for our students to attend school and increase their opportunity for learning.”

The District is growing its incentive-based attendance program and exploring ways to boost attendance, encourage student participation and set students up for academic success.

“Increasing student attendance is imperative for increasing student achievement and academic skills,” San Ysidro School District Superintendent Dr. Julio Fonseca said. “We are committed to exploring all methods of keeping our students motivated to come to school and do their best.”

Vista del Mar will pursue an on-going monthly attendance campaign.

“I’m happy to see that so much is being done to drive student attendance,” Board President Marcos A. Diaz said. “The first step to success is showing up and it seems as though our students are definitely on the right path.”

PHOTO CAPTIONS:

SYSD_Attendance_Party1: Students with perfect attendance from Vista del Mar Elementary School attend a dance party to celebrate their accomplishment.

SYSD_Attendance_Party2: Vista del Mar third-grader Gael Lopez, second from left, enjoyed the attendance party as well as the free-dress pass as he danced away the afternoon with fellow students.