Back to school again

Schools re-open with a much better attendance rate

“Very much improved,” was the comment made by Ms. Condra, attendance secretary at Sevierville Middle School when discussing the student attendance on Monday. Sevier County schools closed their doors last week because of an increased amount of absenteeism due to illness. The faculty, as well as students, was opting to stay at home and battle various types of flu-like illnesses.
Schools across the county reported a drastic increase in attendance due to the much-needed time off. Gatlinburg-Pittman High School documented a mere nine percent absent rate, and Northview Middle School recorded an astonishing five percent. “The overall attendance is much better,” said Marie Hedrick of Pigeon Forge Primary School. “The kids are back and happy to participate in the Valentine festivities.”
Many of the younger aged students participated in impromptu parties to celebrate the holiday. Ms. Hatcher, assistant principal for Seymour Primary stated that to the children, Valentine’s Day was just as important as Christmas. “The girls are all dressed in red and pink and the candy is abundant,” she noted. “We’ve got some very thoughtful parents and prepared teachers to be able to have such a celebration in each classroom despite the closing of school last week.”
This week the school attendance was drastically improved to seven percent on the average. The absentee rate was nearing 20-25 percent in some schools, which prompted the closings last week.