Florence City Schools
Forest Hills' Jon Ray Russell earns statewide award for improving student attendance
![Image of FHES Asst. Principal Jon Ray Russell posing with award]([{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_1/v1772834702/florencek12org/t03noainvsyairgbbyky/JonRayRussellAward.png","width":256},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_2/v1772834702/florencek12org/t03noainvsyairgbbyky/JonRayRussellAward.png","width":512},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_3/v1772834702/florencek12org/t03noainvsyairgbbyky/JonRayRussellAward.png","width":800},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_4/v1772834702/florencek12org/t03noainvsyairgbbyky/JonRayRussellAward.png","width":1200},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto,t_image_size_5/v1772834702/florencek12org/t03noainvsyairgbbyky/JonRayRussellAward.png","width":1600},{"url":"https://resources.finalsite.net/images/f_auto,q_auto/v1772834702/florencek12org/t03noainvsyairgbbyky/JonRayRussellAward.png","width":2000}])
Forest Hills' Jon Ray Russell earns statewide award for improving student attendance
MOBILE, Ala. — Forest Hills Elementary School Assistant Principal Jon Ray Russell has been recognized for his efforts to promote good attendance.
Russell received the Rhonda L. Cotten: Be the Change Award at the Alabama Association for Prevention, Attendance and Support Services (AAPASS) State Conference in Mobile. His role as "Little J.R. the Elf" in December sparked an upward trend in student attendance data.
As Little J.R., Russell would act as a live-action "Elf on the Shelf," choosing different locations around the Forest Hills campus each morning where students and drivers could spot him. Administrators saw an increase in students arriving on time, ensuring they saw Russell before the school day began. Russell's actions even drew national attention from NBC.
According to the Council for Leaders in Alabama Schools (CLAS), the Rhonda L. Cotten: Be the Change Award is intended to honor an individual involved in Student Services in Public Education K–12 who creatively finds solutions, regardless of the amount of work involved. It is presented to someone who is less concerned with being politically correct and more concerned with doing the right thing for children and families.
This award is designed to be a tribute to someone who is willing to ask questions, even if they are unpopular questions, but is also able to see the humor in difficult situations. The award is created to recognize a person ingrained in family and community who believes that the quality of living can and should be improved for everyone.