As part of an effort to encourage attendance in school, Las Cruces Public Schools is bringing back a familiar name with renewed energy and community support. The "Count Me In" high school attendance campaign, a program once known for giving away a car to a qualified student who met certain attendance parameters, is making a comeback to recognize students who show up, stay engaged and make school attendance a priority.
Thanks to a generous partnership with Sisbarro Dealerships, Count Me In is returning with a strong incentive structure, including quarterly, semester, and end-of-year prizes. While the car giveaway is no longer part of the program, Sisbarro has committed $10,000 to fund $1,000 awards to be distributed at each participating high school.
“Our students can’t thrive if they’re not in school,” said LCPS Superintendent Ignacio Ruiz. “Reviving ‘Count Me In’ gives us the opportunity to reinforce the importance of daily attendance, while also celebrating students who are putting in the effort. Sisbarro’s support sends a powerful message that our community and local businesses are invested in student success.”
The updated program includes recognition not just for perfect or near-perfect attendance, but also for students who demonstrate significant improvement through a newly added “Growth Award.” All attendance data will be tracked quarterly, with prize drawings held at every stage.
“We’re proud to support this next chapter of ‘Count Me In’,” said Michael Tourtillott, Director of Sales for Sisbarro Dealerships. “Education is the key to our community’s future, and regular school attendance is where it starts. If we can play a small role in motivating students to prioritize their education, that’s a win for everyone.”
The Count Me In program officially relaunches on the first day of school and will run throughout the 2025-2026 school year across all LCPS high schools.