Manalapan-Englishtown BOE to Reconsider Perfect Attendance Award

Today was the last day of school for the Manalapan-Englishtown Regional school district. While end-of-year festivities saw the distribution of various academic and professional awards to students, retiring teachers, and staff, one award did not make the list this year: the perfect attendance award.

Student Alyssa Caruso, a rising eighth grader at Manalapan-Englishtown Middle School, and her mother Theresa, have requested that the Board of Education reinstate this award. Alyssa achieved perfect attendance again this year.

“I take pride in going to school 180 to 183 days a year, and I would like to be recognized for that,” said Alyssa Caruso, reading from a statement to the Board on June 7.  

Theresa Caruso says her daughter suffers from seasonal allergies but never stays home because of them. She feels her daughter’s dedication is a good quality that will someday be recognized by employers. “It’s a passion she has. And something she feels compassionate about,” she added.

Board Member Michele Stipelman agreed that perfect attendance is an accomplishment but remains unsure if the Board should recognize the feat with an award.

“Sometimes we achieve things for our own personal growth and not to be recognized by others. But we will take that under advisement whether or not we should reinstitute a perfect attendance award,” said Stipelman.  

Superintendent John J. Marciante, Jr. added that the district took direction from the state Board of Health which, starting in 2001, wanted school districts to reevaluate that policy.

“There are some children, because it’s so important to them, will choose to come to school sick because they want to win that award. The recommendation from the Board of Health was we need not to create that scenario,” said Dr. Marciante.

Theresa Caruso realizes health concerns were especially prevalent in the H1N1 outbreak but questions why some individual schools in the district chose to recognize perfect attendance, while others did not.

While the topic was being debated, veteran bus driver Barry Agen said perfect attendance used to be recognized for district employees.

Agen said that in the last four years, not including this year, he had perfect attendance and received no recognition. This year, he had to take some days off due to medical needs.

“Now I have letters in my file attesting to my unacceptable attendance,” said Agen. “I think this board needs to get their heads on straight as far as what’s acceptable – attendance, be it for employees or students.”

Agen’s remarks were applauded by Theresa Caruso.

During the Board of Education meeting on Tuesday, June 14, the topic of attendance came up again. Agen, who regularly attends meetings, clarified his position.

“There’s no cost involved [for a perfect attendance letter]. It’s just acknowledging the fact that someone has performed an exceptional job for the district,” said Agen. “Just to keep the balance there – that’s all I’m asking.”

Stipelman said that when the Board discusses what they can do for children with perfect attendance, they will also consider staff members in the discussion.

During the June 14 meeting, the Board also reflected on the heat-related school absences on June 9.

When the temperature soared past 100 degrees, schools had a four-hour day.The Early Learning Center and Wemrock Brook reported 98 percent attendance. Other schools without air conditioning averaged between 70 to 75 percent attendance while the lowest attendance report, 65 percent, came from the MEMS eighth grade.

“I guess they didn’t know the building was air conditioned,” said Marciante. “I heard it was a hot item on Facebook in terms of planning for the beach,” he added.  

Meanwhile, Board Vice-President Lori Semel reported that when she returned home from work in the afternoon, she saw some children in her neighborhood playing outside during the hottest time of the day. Next year, Marciante said he will consider sending early dismissal messages to only the buildings that have no air conditioning.

The Board of Education will hold its next meeting on June 21 at 7:30 p.m. in the Manalapan-Englishtown Administration Building in Englishtown.