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September 9, 2026

M.E. Pearson Elementary School Students Get a ‘Sponge-Worthy’ Attendance Reward

A person in pink shorts and a black t-shirt stands outside a brick building with arms outstretched.

Students at M.E. Pearson Elementary School learned an important lesson recently: If you show up to school every day, there’s a chance you might get to throw wet sponges at the faculty.

A person in a yellow shirt and black skirt stands outside a brick building near a blue bench.

On Tuesday, September 8, students in attendance were treated to a surprise attendance-day event, giving them a chance to celebrate their commitment to coming to school, and have a little fun along the way.

September is Attendance Awareness Month at schools across the country. The annual observance highlights the importance of regular school attendance and brings attention to the impact chronic absenteeism can have on students.

A person in pink shorts and a black t-shirt stands outside a brick building with arms outstretched.

M.E. Pearson Principal Lori Cooper having some cool fun with students.

The timing is especially fitting as a new school year gets underway. Attendance Awareness Month encourages students and families to establish good attendance habits early, helping set the stage for a successful year in the classroom.

At M.E. Pearson, that message came with an especially memorable reward: wet sponges and willing faculty members.

And school leadership may have more tricks up its sleeve.

“We are working on popcorn parties for rooms with consistent 95%, and then we are throwing in the surprise attendance days to include all students,” said M.E. Pearson Principal Lori Cooper.

Two smiling people stand on either side of a large poster that reads 'SURPRISE ATTENDANCE DAY'.