Hartford students are on report — for behaving well
By Brandy Nance
Originally published 01:34 p.m., January 21, 2008
Updated 01:34 p.m., January 21, 2008
HARTFORD — The students at Hartford High and Neosho Rapids Junior High are being honored for being written up for their behavior — written up for doing good things, that is.
When students do things above and beyond they are written up for their good behavior, said Curtis Simons, principal. Students who are written up have their names put into a box for a drawing. At the end of each semester, students get an all-school assembly, a break from classes and an opportunity to win some nice prizes. Last semester, Simons said, students were written up for doing well 176 times. He said he got the idea from Salina Central High School.
“It’s a reinforcement for good behavior,” Simons said.
Simons said it is his job to enforce the district rules, and this program helps him do his job.
“I have to provide a safe environment for everybody,” he said.
Every two weeks, a drawing takes place. Five names are drawn and students whose names are pulled out of the box get a slice of pizza.
At the end of last semester the first assembly was held to recognize students who were written up for good behavior, and Simons said the school has noticed a difference in students’ behavior.
“We’ve had less fights in the fall than we did last year,” Simons said. “It’s a goal. They have to make good choices. They have to follow the rules.”
One student at the assembly last month won a color television set, Simons said. The guest speaker was Emporia State University basketball player Michelle Stueve. Stueve spoke to the students and also participated in a free-throw contest with kids and teachers. The Booster Club helps to finance the prizes, Simons said.
The next assembly for the school is in May; however, it is not guaranteed. As part of the program, the school must have fewer than 10 in-school and out-of-school suspensions for that semester. If the number exceeds 10, the assembly is canceled.
create (anonymous) says...
Wow, what a great idea! Peer pressure to behave sure beats bullying and fighting. I plan to send a few bucks to Hartford's Booster Club for picking up the tab for the prizes. Good job, moms and dads.
January 21, 2008 at 3:40 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
slipandslide (anonymous) says...
this is a good idea. i remember someone using an analogy to a soggy potatoe chip, if a kid wants a potatoe chip bad enough, he ll take it wheather or not its a crisp or soggy one. if a kid wants attention bad enough, he will seek it even if its negative attention, so for some, punishment itself is a reward for someone who wants attention. i know this isnt the word for word way i heard it, but it s been 15 years since i heard it and im doing my best to have it make sense. giving rewards for good behavior makes more sense than spending alot of time with disipline issues, some of which are kids who only want attention - good or bad.
January 21, 2008 at 6:40 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
olddog (anonymous) says...
Sounds like Team Work!!!! Keep up the good work!!!!!
January 23, 2008 at 5:04 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )