Some kids count the days until school is over, while others – like Leland Wurtak-Beck – do whatever they can to avoid missing even one day.
Before students dispersed for the summer at Sts’ailes school, Leland was congratulated on doing just that: perfect attendance for not just one year, but five years in a row.
Leland was presented with a FitBit, and certificates in front of his peers for beating the school record for most consecutive years making morning attendance; only being late one day.
His secret?
“Well, my secret really is really just to pay attention in class, and get used to waking up in the morning,” he said.
Leland added it doesn’t hurt that his favourite class is gym, although he enjoys “the variety of classes I get every single week,” he said.
It also didn’t hurt that his Grade 5 teacher, Miss Tong, was “the best teacher I’ve ever had,” he continued.
The youngster added that he feels proud, despite peers trying to make him feel bad about his record.
He estimates it was during Grade 4 when he decided “I want to get perfect attendance every year,” he recalled.
When asked why, he said he “doesn’t really know, but it just must have came from the heart.”
Leland’s mom, Debbie Beck said she’s proud of her son.
“This is a great achievement as Leland is First Nations and they are at risk of poor attendance,” she said.
Leland, who lives with his mom in Tapadera Estates, said he plans to relax this summer playing video games and attending summer camp – and doesn’t plan to miss a single day during camp, either.