Washington's Best Honored on Summer's Eve
The Washington Ways program closed out a successful debut year by honoring 19 students and two classes just before the final bell sounded for the start of summer vacation.
The initiative was developed to recognize and reward positive behavior while simultaneously encouraging students to be safe, respectful and responsible around school and on the bus each day.
Students are given various colored tickets by teachers and support staff members for exemplary behavior. The tickets can be presented to the youngsters throughout the day.
White tickets are awarded weekly for good behaviors and actions in the classroom. White ticket winners are honored with special recognition in their classroom at the end of each week and their names are announced every Monday morning.
Red tickets are presented to individuals for notable good behavior outside of classrooms, including in hallways, buses, the playground and cafeteria, etc. At the end of the month, the student in each class with the greatest number of red tickets is recognized with a special certificate. Principal Marsha Neville announces the names of the honorees over Washington's public address system.
Entire classes can earn blue tickets for positive group behavior out-of-the-classroom. Blue tickets are also awarded to the two classes within the building with the most tickets overall. The new program has quickly caught on and students enjoy being cited and collecting the colorful tickets.
June's "Red Ticket" honorees included Wilmer Flores, Kierah Motley, Malik Cooper, Anna Safonte, Faith Bruechert, Erica Flaherty, Xiara Suarez, Skyler James, Kyeon Lyons, Michael Gerardi, Lizabeth Almendarez, David Mastroni, Kenia Gonzalez, Elmer Aparicio, Anthony Adams, Christie Baade, Kevin Alfaro, Fionaleigh Malone and Alyssa Sorensen.
Washington's "Blue Ticket" classes for December included those of second grade teacher Suzy Dinehart and third grade teacher Joanne Tures.
"Honoring these fine students and two exceptional classes was a wonderful way to conclude the school year," Mrs. Neville said.