Attendance at Snow Hill Elementary School in Ooltewah took a leap forward last school year with support from Northwest Georgia Bank and the Hamilton County Social Worker of the Year.
“We are excited to see a four percent increase to 97 percent in overall attendance in grades K-5 during the past school year, thanks in part to our partnership with Northwest Georgia Bank and their SOAR program,” said Shane Harwood, Snow Hill Elementary School principal.
“Through the SOAR program and the support of Northwest Georgia Bank’s Rhonda Edwards and our own Louise Smith, our students were rewarded for their efforts in attending school each and every day. The program provided motivating incentives for students to show exemplary attendance during each quarter and throughout the year.”
Named SOAR (Student Outstanding Attendance Rewards) after the school’s winged mascot, the program rewards students who have perfect attendance every six weeks and at year’s end. The program is funded with a $1,000 corporate sponsorship from Northwest Georgia Bank.
“By working together, Snow Hill Elementary and Northwest are motivating students to attend school daily, ready to learn,” the principal said. “And the results are showing!”
Northwest also sponsors three recognition programs in Catoosa County: the BUCS (Because U Came to School) program at Boynton Elementary, the GAIN (Great Attendance Is Necessary) program at West Side Elementary, and the Renaissance program at Ringgold Primary School, which also rewards students for good conduct, character, and academic performance.
“Another component of our attendance efforts included our new social worker, Sonya Hermon, named the Hamilton County Social Worker of the Year by Bethel Bible Village in February,” Mr. Harwood said. “She complemented our positive SOAR rewards system by helping our families comply with state attendance laws.”