The 30-day challenge is designed to increase positive learning behaviors by focusing on attendance, punctuality, academics and behavior.

“It takes a minimum of 21 days to form a habit,” said Norway Junior/Senior High School Principal and Athletic Director Tony Adams. “Our goal with this new initiative is to create good habits in school that will lead to their success not only here, but in the future.”

Junior and senior high school students — grades seven through 12 — are being asked to meet three specific requirements from Jan. 19 through March 3.

For the entire six weeks, students need to be present daily with no unexcused absences, as well as have two or fewer tardies.

From left, students Carter Grondine, Tori Trudeau and Rowen DeDecker arrive at Norway High School. (Terri Castelaz/The Daily News)

“Obviously, we don’t want kids here if they are sick — it’s the other absences we are targeting,” he said, adding they also allow for medical appointments, school-related activities or pre-excused vacations or family matters.

Adams explained that the data shows how attendance changed after the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It’s not a debate of whether or not we should have stayed home, but you can see the attendance really hasn’t recovered from the mind-set. We are trying to get back to those pre-COVID beliefs,” he said.

An important factor of regular attendance is being on time for class. “They — high schoolers especially — need to be taught it’s just not about them, it’s the impact it has on the classroom,” Adams said. “We are trying to work on that.”

In addition to maintaining their academics, students cannot have any missing assignments.

Norway Junior High students — from left, Piper Roberts, Mya Rock and Braelyn Savage — get ready for class. (Terri Castelaz/The Daily News)

“It’s always academics first,” Adams added.

Behavior is the third component of the challenge and is monitored through office referrals. Although they hope for students to avoid any incidents, a one-time pass is granted for an initial incident.

In addition, Adams said, “We are throwing an incentive out to students who meet those requirements of the challenge” — the opportunity to take part in a trivia event with prizes on Friday, March 6.

Those who fail to comply with the criteria will attend a restorative practice session.

“We (administration) will discuss the importance of regular attendance and the impact their school performance will have on their future,” Adams said.

Norway High School students Landon Bray, Hunter Ziller and Dylan Erickson arrive early to start their day. (Terri Castelaz/The Daily News)

They will present data that shows the yearly income of skilled or professional trades and college graduates versus those who drop out of high school or complete with just passing grades. “We are trying to connect those indicators,” Adams explained.

“Sometimes you can get a kid’s attention with money,” he said.

Adams said the attendance initiative is something the school has been working on for some time.

Norway-Vulcan, along with several area schools, attended Safe and Civil Schools Building Attendance training in late summer.

“We really took a hard look at it,” Adams said.

Before the start of the school year, they released calendars, along with information on how attendance is tied to students’ success.

In December, they conducted their first challenge; however, it was modified to just attendance requirements.

“We had 90 percent — that percentage would have increased, but there was a tardy component to that,” he explained. “Being repetitive is part of it; you just can’t just do it once, the follow-through is part of this.”

Administration has a target goal of 95% of just straight attendance for this third semester.

“This time it’s a three-part process,” Adams said. “If you can get everything in line, odds of you being successful increase dramatically — we know this. That’s the goal.”

They were close to reaching their target with the first challenge, and look to make improvements each time.

Adams said Uknighted and Present will be part of a continual school initiative.

“The program will require patiences, that’s part of why we are including the seventh and eighth grade students in the challenge,” he said. “Because if we can get them creating good habits now, high school will be easier.”

Moving into the next school year, administration will now have a baseline for comparisons.

“We are currently focused on this year. In the fall, we will be more uniform right from the beginning,” Adams said. “We are excited to see where this goes and how much of a change it will have.”

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Terri Castelaz can be reached at 906-774-2772, ext. 85241, or tcastelaz@ironmountaindailynews.com.