Washington Ways Award Winners
Wear Smiles
Their smiles gave away just how proud they were. As their names were read over the public address system and walked one-by-one to the main lobby, May’s Washington Ways Award winners had a spring in their step. They were the toast of the building and basked in the glow of the cheers and attention lavished on them by their classmates and teachers.
Washington Principal Marsha Neville presented award certificates to Ariannah Seabrook, William Brooks, Joseph Rafuse, Heidy Castillo, Conner Thorsen, Jayden Roman, James Nottingham, Jibreel Murtaza, Elizabeth Waters, Daniel VanArsdale, Varun Ratti, Sean Lu, Karina Jagdeo, Joshua Redick, Yoselin Mendez-Acosta, Nancy Portillo, Giselle Velasquez-Tejada, Gianna Petrone, Indiya Stewart and Erica Flaherty.
The afternoon kindergarten classes of teachers Melissa Mazzalonga and Debbie Quiles received Blue Ticket Awards for their outstanding effort and performance throughout the month of May.
“As the school year winds down, it was wonderful to be able to honor these fine young boys and girls,” Mrs. Neville said. “We encourage all of our students to work hard, cooperate with their classmates and teachers and demonstrate appropriate behavior all around the building and grounds.”
The Washington Ways initiative focuses on recognizing and rewarding positive behavior while encouraging students to be safe, respectful and responsible.
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. Mrs. 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.