Rachel Carson Elementary School (RCES) hosted its first Turkey Trot to boost student attendance and mitigate chronic absenteeism on the day before Thanksgiving break. The school also utilized the event as an opportunity to collect canned food for the community of Hope at Seneca Creek Church. A video of the event can be seen below.
The school’s theme this year is “Be here. Be you. Belong.” MCPS as a whole has been working to fight chronic absenteeism, defined by the Maryland State Department of Education as having missed 10% or more of the school year at any point throughout the year, regardless of whether it’s excused or not.
RCES has been working to promote attendance through school wide incentives such as perfect attendance punch cards, and 10-day Fall challenge. Recently, Principal Mindy Reeves asked staff for ideas to promote attendance on the two half days prior to Thanksgiving break, when many students are absent. Teacher Julie Macro suggested a turkey trot.
Mrs. Macro worked with administration, the PTA, and teachers to plan a 20 minute fun run, where students gained entrance by donating a canned food which the school gave to The Community Hope Center at Seneca Creek Community Church. Rachel Carson’s chronic absenteeism rate is currently down 4.46% from this time last year.
