10th grade student Johanna Castillo was given a car by her school in Dallas state because she did not miss a single day of school all year.
For many years, Faith Family Academy has partnered with a car dealership to give away used cars to its most diligent students as an incentive to attend school. For every six weeks of no missed classes, students earn a “voucher.” The student with the most votes is awarded a prize at the end of the school year.
Because there were 5 students with the same number of votes, on May 20, the school held a lottery and Johanna Castillo, a 10th grade student, was the lucky one to become the new owner of a 2016 Jeep Patriot. The value of the car, according to the school's website, does not exceed 13,500 USD (320 million VND).
"When I heard the car horn, I was speechless. Then the car lights turned on, which surprised me again," Johanna said, adding that her family would use the car while she studied to get her driver's license.
Johanna Castillo is interviewed after being announced as the owner of a 2016 Jeep Patriot on May 20. Photo: Faith Family Academy
"We are so proud of our students for their hard work and attendance. We hope this car will make a difference for Johanna and her family," the school said in a Facebook post.
Faith Family Academy’s car donation program has been in place since 2017. The school says the initiative has increased student attendance by more than 2 percentage points, to 95.5 percent today. Attendance is just as important, if not more so, than regular test scores, the school says.
"If students don't come to school, obviously they won't learn. We try to make them see the value of coming to school," school leaders said when they launched the program.
Mark Gallas, the dealership’s director, supports Faith Family Academy’s approach, saying it makes students aware of how much the school is trying to support them.
Some school districts in the US now reward students for good attendance. In Riverside County, California, students who attend classes regularly are awarded certificates and $20 restaurant vouchers, based on nine weeks or semesters.
Phuong Anh (According to Insider, Fox4 News )
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