Modesto Subaru has pledged $2,500 to be awarded by random drawing to one senior attending Ceres Unified School District high schools with five or fewer absences from Oct. 2 through the end of the school year.

Seniors are a particular focus of the attendance campaign because this grade level tends to attend at rates slightly below other grades. So far this year, the district’s overall attendance rate is 95.55 percent, compared with 94.27 percent among seniors. This gap is consistent with last year’s rates.

While “senioritis” – a dip in motivation toward the end of high school – is not uncommon, failing to attend school regularly can have a detrimental effect on students’ future plans – and not just for seniors whose college admittance is contingent on maintaining their GPA.

“Senior year provides students with more than higher‐level academic skills,” said Assistant Superintendent Dan Pangrazio. “It sets the tone for how they’ll approach adulthood, whether they’re college‐bound, pursuing a job, or entering the military. It builds habits that contribute to lifelong success.”

Regular attendance for seniors is also important for all of the same reasons that apply across all grade levels: access to learning and resources such as meals and mental health services, supportive relationships, and opportunities to participate in clubs, sports, and other extracurricular activities.

While attendance rates across the state have yet to recover to pre‐pandemic levels, CUSD’s efforts to increase attendance – including monthly prizes drawings at every school – are showing early signs of success.

“Even a one percent improvement district‐wide is a big deal, but we are trending better than that so far,” noted Pangrazio.

Students with one or fewer absences in August were entered into drawings for motorized or non‐motorized bikes or scooters, depending on grade level. September’s prize is a PlayStation 5. Over the course of the school year, students will have opportunities to win iPad Minis, Nike shoes, wireless JBL speakers, Legos, Beats headphones, and more.

“We are thrilled that Modesto Subaru has partnered with CUSD to offer this additional incentive,” Pangrazio said. “Their generous donation means that one senior will not only reap the benefits of regular school attendance, but be rewarded with $2,500 to use toward college, a car, or whatever they want.”

For more information about the attendance campaign, as well as resources to support regular school attendance, visit https://ceresunifiedsdca.sites.thrillshare.com/o/cusd/page/attendance‐incentives.