Kelly Jones, principal at Learning Tree Academy, had a close shave on Friday with a group of about 20 students.

The 4-year-olds were armed with cans of shaving cream with Jones as the intended target. For the students, it was a reward for perfect attendance for the month of September, meaning students were present for the entire school day. Out of an enrollment close to 170, about 25 students qualified for the activity with close to 20 participating.

For Jones, it was the first time to be bombarded with mounds of shaving cream. And quite possibly the last time.

Jones set up a chair outside in the shade, donned a clear poncho, kicked her shoes off and had a seat. The group of students, who knew nothing about the activity beforehand, were led outside, handed a can of shaving cream and given brief instructions on how to use it. (Press the button and don’t spray anyone except Mrs. Jones.)

At the signal, the students advanced toward Jones en masse and the squirting began. The students were supposed to spray for only 1 minute, but someone forgot to set the timer so the students emptied their cans. Many students ended up with as much shaving cream on themselves, possibly more, than was on Jones.

Jones said the reward for perfect attendance was something new this year, and was intended to motivate the students to be in school every day.

“Beginning in August, we decided to give certificates for perfect attendance. That is boring, so we wanted to do something fun to go along with it,” Jones said.

The great shaving cream escapade was the first such activity to reward students. Jones said a new activity will be held every month.

But the shaving cream activity will not be repeated.

More than one student left a trail of shaving cream down the hall as they returned to their classrooms.

“We won’t do that again,” Jones said as she tried to disentangle herself from her poncho without smearing shaving cream all over herself.