The following students all have at least one thing in common: Damien Jenifer (kindergarten), Kaden Fanny (first grade), Brandon Dukette (third), Olivia Glines (third), Kalee Keyser (third), Shannen O’Donnell (fourth), Aaron Weeks (fourth), Colin Coolidge (fifth), Kyleigh Fanny (fifth), Hannah Asbury (sixth), Madalyn Goodwin (sixth), Ryelle Jenifer (sixth), Camden Donovan (seventh), Ezra Jenifer (seventh), DJ Rankins (seventh), Collin O’Donnell (eighth), and Alan Thompson (eighth). These 17 students did not miss one single day of school for the 2013-14 school year. In fact, several of the students have not missed a school day for several years!

They are also students who are active in sports, the spring play, and other activities beyond their school day. The students in the play were here several nights a week until 5 or 6 PM. Several of the students played sports both in our community and outside as part of travel teams.

It is pretty amazing when you know that they have been exposed to all the same germs and illnesses as everyone else. They are a healthy bunch! I especially want to learn some healthy tips from the Jenifer and Fanny families. It is pretty impressive that all of the children in the family never missed a day. I guess the same could be said for Olivia, Aaron, Colin, Madalyn, DJ, and Alan.

Brandon Dukette hasn’t missed a school day since he started kindergarten, and he is now going into the fourth grade! Kyleigh Fanny has also had four years of perfect attendance. Kaden Fanny, now entering second grade, has never missed a day of school since he started kindergarten.

Eighth grade students Collin O’Donnell and Alan Thompson both finished with perfect attendance this year. I wonder if they will continue that pattern through their Merrimack Valley High School years? Both of the graduates participated in numerous extracurricular sports and activities in addition to their academic load, and balanced it all. Collin has not missed a day of school since he started at AE/MS in the sixth grade.

This is an impressive number of students to have perfect attendance – 17! I have talked with other school principals who find this fascinating, because they don’t see it at their schools.

The students were presented gift certificates to Pizza Chef. They were also invited to ring the bell during the Fourth of July festivities, which is quite an honor.

Congratulations to the 17 healthy, hard-working students! I hope they each enjoy a well-deserved summer break.