La Vista Middle School found a creative and crowd-pleasing way to reward students who prioritized attendance in April: a temporary tattoo lottery featuring a very good-natured School Resource Officer. Students who missed one or fewer days of school during the month were entered in a drawing, and twenty lucky winners were selected to apply a temporary tattoo sleeve of their choice to SRO Officer Casey — turning a milestone of personal responsibility into a moment of school-wide fun.

Attendance initiatives like this one reflect the research-backed understanding that consistent school attendance is one of the strongest predictors of academic success. By connecting good attendance habits to a positive, memorable reward, La Vista Middle School reinforces the message that showing up matters — not just for grades, but for belonging and community. Officer Casey's enthusiastic participation added a human touch that made the celebration all the more memorable for participating Monarchs.

Efforts like this one embody the spirit of the #YouBelongHere message that anchors PLCS's school culture work. When students see that their presence is noticed, valued, and celebrated — and when staff are willing to be part of the fun — it strengthens the bonds that keep kids engaged and connected to school. Well done, La Vista Middle School, and a special tip of the hat to Officer Casey for being such a great sport.