#AttendanceMattersRI Student Video Contest 2025

Do you have a passion for storytelling and a message to share? Join the 2025 #AttendanceMattersRI High School Student Video Contest and help inspire your peers to prioritize school attendance!

Description: The Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) recognizes the critical importance of regular attendance in ensuring academic success and future opportunities for students. To highlight the significance of attendance and encourage innovative approaches to promote it, RIDE is launching the Attendance Matters RI Video Contest. This contest will be open to all high school students across Rhode Island public schools, aiming to engage them creatively in advocating for the value of consistent attendance.

Objective: The primary objective of the Attendance Matters RI Video Contest is to raise awareness about the importance of attendance among students, educators, and parents throughout Rhode Island and provide students with prizes to support their storytelling efforts.  Videos will be shared on www.AttendanceMattersRI.org, with the winning videos shared widely on social media, at events, and on other platforms.

Participant Eligibility: The contest is open to high school students attending public schools in Rhode Island. This includes rising 9th graders. Parents/guardians must submit a signed consent form provided by RIDE for their child to participate. Signed forms should be emailed to attendancematters@ride.ri.gov. Upon receipt, RIDE will email a secure link for participants to upload their videos.

NOTE: If a video submission features multiple students, a signed form for each student must be submitted.

Video Requirements: Participants are invited to create short videos (minimum duration 30 seconds, maximum duration 3 minutes) that creatively convey the message of why attendance matters. Videos can include testimonials, dramatizations, animations, or any other creative format that effectively communicates the importance of attendance. Videos must define chronic absenteeism and include the phrase: Attendance Matters, Rhode Island. Attendance facts and other helpful resources can be found on www.attendancemattersRI.org/resources.

Submission Deadline: All video entries must be submitted to the Rhode Island Department of Education by September 30, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. As previously noted, signed consent forms must be emailed by those interested in participating to attendancematters@ride.ri.gov. Upon receipt, RIDE will provide a secure link for participants to upload their video submissions. Entries received after the deadline will not be considered for the contest.

Judging Criteria: Entries will be judged based on creativity, clarity of message, and overall impact. A panel of judges appointed by RIDE will evaluate the submissions through a rubric (see bottom of document). In addition to the top three prizes, a “People’s Choice” winner will be selected based on number of votes.

Voting Period: The public will be invited to vote for their favorite video online at a later date in the fall. The contest will be promoted in the Commissioner’s Weekly Field Memo, on RIDE’s social media and website, through a press release, and district posts.

Prizes:

1.      First Place: A 5-piece video production kit featuring a Canon camera, microphone, and tripod.

2.      Second Place: A professional photography bundle featuring a Nikon camera and mount adapter.

3.      Third Place: Vlogging kit with camera.

4.      People’s Choice: $250 gift card to Hunt’s Photo and Video

Prize Protection: Winners of the Student Attendance Video Contest are responsible for the care and maintenance of any prizes awarded. Prizes are non-transferable and may not be exchanged for cash or substituted with other items. The Rhode Island Department of Education is not liable for lost, stolen, or damaged prizes once they have been distributed to the winners. Group submissions may only win one prize package. Please handle all prizes with care and enjoy your well-earned rewards!

Award Notification: Winners will be notified via email and through RIDE press release.

Visit attendancemattersri.org/videos for more information on the contest.