Bradley Marsh’s mother has never had to call her son’s school to report an absence.
That’s because he’s never had one.
‘I’d never get sick on school days,? said the Leonard Elementary fifth-grader. ‘I’m always here. My parents drive me.?
On the last day of school June 14, Marsh was honored for having perfect attendance from kindergarten all the way through fifth-grade.
‘It’s phenomenal,? said Leonard Principal Joyce Brasington. ‘It takes incredible dedication and commitment to come to school every day. Bradley works hard and has a great attitude each and every day.?
During the fifth-grade celebration ceremony last week, Brasington presented Marsh with an Oxford Wildcats T-shirt and goodie bag.
But perfect attendance wasn’t something that just happened to Marsh, it was a goal.
‘I’ve been working on it since kindergarten,? he said. ‘I’ve been trying to do it since I came here.?
Marsh’s parents, John Marsh and Denise Tabaka, were the driving force behind their son’s unique accomplishment.
‘It’s important for us for them to always be in school,? Tabaka said. ‘We’ve always been sticklers about it.?
‘We always stress the kids schooling,? John said. ‘We think it’s the most important thing.?
‘Perfect attendance is just as important as getting good grades,? the father noted.
Everyday, Marsh’s parents drove him the eight miles to school because the family lives in Dryden, outside the Oxford school district.
He’s part of the schools of choice program.
Tabaka said they originally chose Oxford Schools because it had a latchkey program whereas Dryden Schools did not.
‘Once we got him into the school system here, we enjoyed it,? she said. ‘We thought he got a great education, so we kept him here with his friends.?
Marsh will see if he can continue his perfect attendance streak next year when he attends sixth grade at Dryden Elementary.