June 3, 2024
The "Get Knowledj Team," students and the building staff celebrated the improvement in chronic lateness and absenteeism.
ATLANTIC CITY — A California-based education program brought gift cards, video game systems and brand-new Air Jordan sneakers to New York Avenue School on Monday, June 3, 2024, as incentives for students improving attendance.
Knowlej, founded in August 2023 by Chief Executive Officer Principal Amen Rahh, said the goal is to help local districts encourage students to come to school every day, and make it into the building on time. “I wanted to combat chronic absenteeism, increase student engagement and prepare students for the future of work in our country,” said Rahh. “We work with schools around the country.” New York Avenue School Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Coach Laurie Egrie, who was instrumental in bringing the program to New York Avenue School, said the first attendance challenge, “J’s for Days” was a success.
J's For Days was the first attendance challenge.
The challenge lasted from May 15, to May 29, 2024. Students had to be respectful and do all their school work. “Even in this two-week challenge, we saw an uptick in our attendance,” Egrie said.
New York Avenue School Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Coach Laurie Egrie, (left) and Alexia Pendleton celebrated the students' achievement.
The “Get Knowlej Crew” held two pep rally-style assemblies to personally introduce students to the pilot program. Clad in black and gold baseball jerseys with the company logo “Knowlej” stitched across the front, Jonathon Daily and Neeko, got the crowd excited while a DJ played music and provided the sound system. They used call and response with positive messages to keep the students engaged. They gave out prizes to students who demonstrated how well they listened and maintained focus during a game called “In the River, On the Bank.” They also gave sneaker vouchers to the students who made the most improvement. The first assembly was held for kindergarten through fourth grade students. The second assembly was for fifth through eighth grades.
Sincere Smallwood won a pair of Air Jordans and a Nintendo Switch for improved attendance.
Sincere Smallwood, who is in 3rd Grade, won the Air Jordans and received a Nintendo Switch game system for that category. "It's important for me to come to school to learn new subjects, so I can get good grades and achieve success," Smallwood said. He said even if there were no prizes he would try to come to school every day and be on time because he wanted to have a good life.
Aurora Thompson (Left) won a pair of Air Jordan sneakers for improved attendance. Neeko, of "The Get Knowlej Crew," celebrates with her.
Aurora Thompson, who is in fifth grade, won that category. Mark Merrill, Knowlej vice president of partnerships, said both students would receive vouchers to be spent at Tilt. They can select the shoes of their choice and have them shipped to them at no charge. New York Avenue School Principal Kendall Williams said the program was important because students must be in school and be on time to get the most out of the education system.
Principal Kendall Williams addressed both assemblies.
“Attendance directly affects New York Avenue School. It starts with being chronically tardy, and then it turns into absences,” said Williams. Many students live in a housing development across the street. Others have been displaced, making it more difficult for them to get to school. “It’s a problem that can be addressed, but we need support, and we’re getting that support from Knowlej,” Williams said. “If it is successful here, hopefully it can branch out to other schools in the district.”
