Attendance Initiative Across GISD

Gonzales Independent School District kicked off its “Fuel the Ride: Show Up, Shine Bright, and Win Big” attendance incentive program on October 1, aiming to reduce chronic absenteeism and encourage students to be in school every day. 

Chronic absenteeism — when a student misses 10% or more of school days for any reason — is a growing concern for schools across the country. At GISD, the district’s overall attendance rate last year was 92.5%. District leaders say they’re working to increase that number through a positive, community-based approach that rewards students for showing up. 

Incentives for Students 

The program includes several opportunities for students to win prizes throughout the school year: 

• Monthly Drawings: Students with perfect attendance each month are entered into a drawing to win $500, thanks to donations from local businesses. 
   

• End-of-Year Campus Rewards: Five students with perfect attendance from October through May will receive a family prize package to Splashway Waterpark. 
   

• Grand Prizes: One elementary student and one secondary student with perfect attendance all year will each win $1,000. 
   

Families with more than one child enrolled in the district can have each child entered in the drawings, increasing their chances to win. 

Purpose and Impact 

The goal of the initiative is to increase attendance rates, support academic success, and reduce the number of students classified as chronically absent. Consistent attendance is linked to improved academic performance, higher graduation rates, and stronger student engagement. 

The program is districtwide and applies to students at Gonzales Primary Academy, Gonzales Elementary, Gonzales North Avenue, Gonzales Junior High School, and Gonzales High School. 

Community Support at the Core 

The incentive program is fully funded through donations from local businesses, organizations, and individual contributors. This approach allows the district to provide incentives through community partnership and support. 

Community Involvement 

The initiative encourages participation from school staff, families, and community partners. Staff are promoting the program on campuses, families are encouraged to support consistent attendance, and community partners contribute to the prize pool. 

The program will continue throughout the school year, with monthly drawings beginning this month and end-of-year rewards distributed in May.