Habematolel Pomo tribe donates to Lake County Attendance Challenge

Members of the Executive Council of the Habematolel Pomo of Upper Lake Tribe present a check to the Lake County Office of Education for the Lake County Attendance Challenge. Pictured left to right are Sherry Treppa, Brock Falkenberg, Amber Jackson and Sam Icay. Courtesy photo.

LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The Habematolel Pomo of Upper Lake Tribe donated $4,000 to the Lake County Office of Education to be awarded to the six Lake County schools with the best attendance during the 2018-2019 countywide Attendance Challenge.

The Attendance Challenge runs two different weeks this year. The first week runs from Oct. 15 through 19. The second week begins on March 19.

The winning schools will be determined based on the attendance rate of both weeks combined.

“The Habematolel consistently supports within our tribe and the community our youth’s educational and extracurricular goals through tribal programs and direct contributions to local school programs and individuals,” said Sherry Treppa, chair of the Habematolel Pomo Executive Council.

Habematolel donated award money for last year’s Attendance Challenge. Clear Lake High School, Terrace Middle School and Coyote Valley Elementary School were the winning schools.

This year there are six categories, which include:

1. Highest Attendance Percentage for a Lake County Elementary School.
2. Highest Attendance Percentage for a Lake County Middle School.
3. Highest Attendance Percentage for a Lake County High School.
4. Highest Attendance Percentage for a Lake County Alternative School.
5. Highest Attendance Percentage for a Lake County Preschool School.
6. Most Improved Attendance Percentage Lake County School.

“With chronic absenteeism being a true concern for Lake County students, LCOE staff brainstormed solutions to help educate the students, parents and community on the importance of attendance. And thus, the Attendance Challenge was born,” said Lake County Superintendent of Schools Brock Falkenberg.

The definition of “chronic absenteeism” is missing 10 percent of the school year—or about 18 days – for any reason, excused or unexcused. This equals missing two days of school a month.

Rob Young, Emergency Services/Special Projects Coordinator at LCOE, who is responsible for organizing the Attendance Challenge, explained that the winning school in each category will receive $500 to be used to celebrate and support good attendance.

The remainder of the donation money will purchase “Attendance Challenge Winner” banners for each winning school to display.

Treppa said, “Our youth are our future workforce, and our tribal and community leaders. It is vital that current leaders and parents ensure our youth are well educated, socially adjusted and prepared to take on those responsibilities. The first step to achieving this is to assure their attendance at school.”

“The Lake County Office of Education is grateful for the partnership with the Habematolel Pomo of Upper Lake Tribe,” Falkenberg added. “We thank them for their continuing support of our county’s attendance activities for all local students.”