Penn Yan Elementary School students were rewarded in a messy way after achieving an attendance goal through the school’s student group: HERD (Helping Everyone Rise and Develop). Designed to reinforce the importance of consistent attendance, the program encouraged students to come to school each day by offering daily prize drawings and the chance to be selected for special assembly activities.
The goal for the month was to reach at least a 95% attendance rate across the school. Each morning, students received a ticket to enter into a drawing, building excitement throughout the month as the school worked toward its goal.
The school community celebrated in a fun and memorable way: students earned the opportunity to “Pie the Principals,” turning the assembly into a lively and laughter-filled event.
Penn Yan Elementary Principal Abby Tormey praised both students and staff for their dedication and enthusiasm.
“It was a powerful celebration of our students and their commitment to coming to school each day,” Tormey said. “The energy, pride, and sense of community were felt throughout, and it was a great reminder of the positive impact our staff has on our students.”
The HERD Assembly not only celebrated attendance success, but also highlighted the strong sense of community within Penn Yan Elementary. The initiative helped reinforce the importance of showing up each day, setting students up for continued success both in and out of the classroom.