Some students may have recently seen a white car covered in stickers parked in the school’s front entryway. This car is part of a Rob Green sponsored giveaway called ‘Cool 2B in School’, which believes that motives such as cars and gift cards can stress the importance of attendance for schools and students.

‘Cool 2B in School’ raffles a new car each year, with this year being a 2023 Nissan Sentra. According to the Twin Falls Rob Green dealership, they want to support students by stressing the importance of education and goal setting. “Consistent school attendance is proven to set a better foundation for a successful education.” Students who wish to enter the raffle must have perfect attendance throughout the school year that the raffle covers. Qualifying students, meaning students who have perfect attendance, must be present at the Blue Lakes Rob Green dealership on June 8th, 2024 to win the car.

There are more requirements to meet to be entered into the raffle for the Nissan Sentra. Any student who wants to enter the raffle must be a high school student in the Magic Valley. The winner of the car is also responsible for tax, title, and dealer fees. Every Magic Valley high school student can enter this raffle, no matter the school year that they’re in, so the drawing pool is large. Last year’s winner was a student from Valley High School in Hazelton, Idaho named Diego Vargas.

A reason that high schools in the Magic Valley have agreed to participate in this giveaway is because of the importance attendance has on the school now. As of the 2023-2024 school year, schools in the Magic Valley will be reverted to attendance-based funding. Attendance-based funding is funding that varies based on how much a student attends school, which is why the school creates motives for attending such as the ‘Cool 2B in School’ giveaway and Midterm days. 

Attendance-based funding isn’t the only reason schools encourage perfect attendance, as schools also want their students to learn life skills and workplace essentials. According to the attendance officer of Canyon Ridge High School, Erin Kelley, “Beyond academic learning, school is a place where children develop critical life skills such as communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and time management. These are skills that are also highly valued in the workplace.”