As part of a districtwide focus on improving student attendance, Klamath Falls City Schools continues to implement creative, student-centered initiatives across its schools, with Pelican Elementary School offering one example through its Attendance Is a Gift challenge.
Pelican Elementary is reinforcing the message that attendance is a gift through a new schoolwide initiative designed to promote consistent attendance, support learning, and build student pride.
Each week, classrooms compete for the best attendance from Monday through Thursday, with the class recording the fewest absences earning the weekly win. In the event of a tie, the fewest tardies serve as the tie-breaker.
Winners are announced in a Friday video shared with students, creating excitement and recognition across the school.
The winning class earns the Attendance Swag Hype Chain, a colorful and highly visible symbol of achievement that can be proudly displayed on the classroom door for the week. The Hype Chain is a new addition to the challenge and has quickly become a favorite incentive among students, generating enthusiasm and a schoolwide buzz.
Classes will also earn additional prizes throughout the year as part of the ongoing initiative.
Recently, Kassandra Dinger’s fourth-grade class earned the chain with zero absences for the week, following Gabriel Cervantes’ class, which also achieved perfect attendance the previous week.
Led by Pelican Elementary Dean of Students Brandon Powell, the initiative emphasizes that attendance is about more than numbers.
“I just started the hype chain incentive. It has been a big hit,” Powell said. “The goal of Attendance Is a Gift is not just about numbers … It's about helping students understand that being at school matters. Showing up each day supports learning, strengthens friendships, and creates a positive, consistent classroom environment for everyone.”
