Pearl River Central and Picayune Memorial High schools are participating in a friendly competition to promote student attendance.

Pearl River Central School District Administrative Intern and Chemistry teacher Stephanie Morris said the aim is to increase attendance for two reasons. The first is to ensure their students excel in school.

“Because we know that students who show up regularly are more successful as far as high school graduation and student assessments,” Morris said. 

Secondly, the campaign aims to ensure the distrcit receives the full amount of Mississippi Adequate Education funding, which is based on student attendance.

Last year Pearl River Central’s attendance was below what it needed to be, leading to the district receiving less MAP funding for this school year, as was covered in a previous Item story.

In order to prompt students to show up for school the districts are offering incentives to the students who have perfect attendance during certain months.

Morris said any student who has perfect attendance for the months of August and September will receive a free ticket to a football game.

If a student has perfect attendance during the month of October they will be treated to a movie and popcorn, and for the month of November perfect attendance will earn them a Christmas cookie party.

Prizes for this campaign are being provided by a number of local businesses, Morris said.  

Students will also participate in a poster contest to help promote school attendance. Those posters will be displayed at local businesses throughout the county, Morris said.

Morris said Hancock High School is also participating in the campaign and she has contacted Poplarville High School but has not heard back yet.