RED OAK – Following the successful launch last year, Red Oak ISD is continuing the multi-tiered attendance campaign with student, staff, and campus incentives! The EVERY HAWK, EVERY DAY campaign supports the goal of elevated student learning and high expectations of engagement. The program also builds a culture of valuing education.
Last year, almost 140 students had perfect attendance – a substantial jump from just 20 the year before.
Those students earned almost $50,000. In addition, five campuses earned $2,500 each for reaching a 95% overall student attendance rate.
Teachers and campus staff can be entered into semester drawings of $500 per campus for attendance, and several auxiliary positions have daily attendance incentives.
“While we are rewarding students, we know the partnership between home and school is critical, and parental support plays a key role in ensuring students are present and prepared to learn each day.
"It takes this partnership to instill the value of education, personal responsibility, and a lifelong love of learning that empowers students to thrive in every aspect of life,” stated ROISD Superintendent Brenda Sanford.
The campaign will continue this year for all Red Oak ISD students who achieve perfect attendance from Monday, Aug. 24, 2026, through Wednesday, May 26, 2027.
School-related absences or excused absences for compulsory attendance determinations will not count against perfect attendance.
School-related absences include field trips, competitions, or school activities.
Excused absences for compulsory attendance determinations include court appearances, enlistment in armed services, serving as an election clerk, religious holidays, and other purposes under Board Policy FEA.
Documentation must be submitted to the school.
However, all other absences – including excused, unexcused, partial (all tardies, late arrivals, and early dismissals), and placement-related absences (ISS, OSS, DAEP) – will disqualify students from the award.
Students with perfect attendance will receive the following awards by school level:
$500 – Red Oak High School students
$250 – Red Oak and Joy Shaw Middle School students
$100 – Red Oak ISD elementary students
Secondary students and families are also encouraged to review the student handbook for additional information about attendance-related exam exemptions.
Seniors’ attendance window will end on the last ‘senior day’, unless one is required to attend beyond ‘senior day’ to fulfill graduation requirements.
Students enrolled after Nov. 1, are not eligible for perfect attendance for the full year.
STAFF AND CAMPUS INCENTIVES
The District is also continuing its staff attendance incentive programs.
Teachers and staff members are vital to student success, and research confirms that nothing can replace the impact of a teacher in the classroom every day.
Eligible campus employees with two or fewer absences each semester will be entered into a $500 campus drawing.
Additionally, Red Oak ISD is providing campuses with opportunities to earn up to $10,000 for reaching student attendance goals.
These funds may be used for additional incentives or to support campus needs. Attendance for this program will be measured from Aug, 12, 2026, through May 26, 2027.
Funding for the student programs is offset by state funding obtained through higher average daily student attendance. Staff incentive costs are offset by savings from substitutes.
Across the District, families will notice a variety of attendance initiatives, including monthly campus attendance charts, elementary student pledges, and other campaign activities designed to highlight the importance of being present every day.
Parents can help by talking with their children about the value of daily attendance, ensuring students arrive on time whether by bus, drop-off, or driving themselves, and celebrating milestones in both academics and attendance.