| Freshmen Family Festival | ||
Students of academic merit and their parents are invited to a banquet and served by their teachers.
Parents organize to promote, support, and recognize academic excellence.
A varsity letter is given to those who maintain a 3.75 while carrying a full course load for a year. Variation: each teacher gets a patch to award in each class. The names of the students who receive the patch are published for all students and staff.
Students apply in the spring to be recognized in this program. Points are awarded for involvement in school activities such as music, student council, school spirit, and journalism. Two hundred points earn a patch. Four hundred points earn a pin.
Club members are given a shield at the end of their first year of membership if they have good attendance, no disciplinary referrals, participated in 90% of the club's activities and demonstrated special service to the club. Second and third year members receive a certificate and a pin from their organization. Fourth year members are recognized on Honor Night.
Nominations are collected form the community for outstanding achievements in professional, civic service, and community affairs. Nominees must have graduated more than 5 years before. Up to 4 individuals are selected each year. The selection committee is made up of current and retired staff members with 15 years or more.
Award given to individuals who have helped with handicapped children
Recognizes
a different group each day:
~ Monday - Corsages and boutonnieres to principles and administrators.
~ Tuesday - Bag of mints to all the teachers.
~ Wednesday - Cake for lunchroom workers and custodial staff.
~ Thursday - Club sponsors and sports coaches are given buttons / pins.
~ Friday - 15 minute extra break for all students.
Other ideas:
~ Balloon Day - Send a balloon to a friend.
~ Love Pops - Send a heart-shaped lolly pop to a friend.
~ Apple Day - Give a teacher an apple.
Athletes are recognized over the intercom and given certificates and / or gifts for extraordinary efforts or accomplishments.
Students who have perfect attendance are rewarded with certificates. Classes that have perfect attendance receive a trophy to display in their classroom. Teachers and other staff members are also recognized for perfect attnedance.
A Birthday Board is set up in the school's front lobby. Monthly birthdays for the students are placed on the board. Names are posted on colorful paper and seasonal decorations help bring the board out. The birthday student receives a "birthday coupon" redeemable in the lunchroom for an extra "treat" on their birthday.
At the beginning of the school year, obtain a computer printout of birthdays by month. On his or her birthday, print the student's name on a construction paper balloon and post it in the lobby. If a birthday falls on a weekend, post it on the previous Friday. If a birthday falls during the summer, post it at the end of school. Ask teachers if they would like to participate also.
Cost: None.
Helpful Hint: Make sure the people in charge have good attendance records.
SOUTH PARK HIGH SCHOOL
All students with a birthday in a month are given cake squares.
Students can order and have delivered birthday twinkies to fellow students on their birthday.
A used car is donated by a local dealership to be given away at the end of the year. Every six weeks, each student's name is placed in a barrel: However, names are removed for unexcused absences, tardiness, or for disciplinary referrals.
The janitorial staff is presented with canned hams and / or stockings full of treats at Christmas.
Promote membership in other clubs by sponsoring a sign-up contest. Each club has a display board which shows pictures of projects and informational brochures about the club's activities.
Club members wear their club shirts, give corsages to sponsors, and present informational spots on the intercom., etc.
Outstanding clubs are recognized for imaginative projects. At the end of the year, a club is award "Most Outstanding Service Club" for the year
Club sponsors are given boutineers or corsages and recognized with a tea.
Ask members to bake cookies for the marching band and cheerleaders. Place the cookies in decorative bags with ribbons and good luck or thank you notes. Deliver them to the band just before a big competition or to the cheerleaders just before a big football game.
Cost: $25.
Helpful Hints: Have a lot of help available to complete this activity.
SOUTHERN COLUMBIA JUNIOR-SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
Hold a dance party for the hardworking students in the group. This event is held at the end of the year. It should include a D.J., soft drinks and some munchies. Hold this somewhere other than the school if possible. A great location would be an amusement park, a boat excursion, an arcade where food is served or even a baseball game with a tailgate party. Arrange for busses to take the students to and from the event.
Cost: $13 per person.
Helpful Hints: Have a lot of chaperones.
NORTH ALLEGHENY INTERMEDIATE HIGH SCHOOL
Hold a half-day picnic near the end of school for students to relax and sign each others yearbooks. Make arrangements with the cafeteria staff to serve picnic food like hamburgers and hot dogs. Have members supply grills. Include entertainment like a D.J., some sort of show (like a variety, talent or male pageant) and some games such as softball, volleyball or relays.
Cost: The cost depends on the D.J., supplies and prizes for the games.
Helpful Hints: Make sure the stage for the show, the grills, the tables for the D.J. and supplies are set up ahead of time. Work with the cafeteria staff in planning the lunch. Watch the acts for the show or pageant first to make sure everything is tasteful.
SOUTHERN LEHIGH HIGH SCHOOL
Students are randomly selected by computer, asket do fill out a questionnair, and have their picture taken. The picture and profile are posted in the main hall for one week. One student from each class is on display at all times.
One week is devoted to the display of student art, pottery, and photography; other activities include a spelling bee, coloring contest, and speech contest.
Incoming freshman and their families were invited to visit Coffee High. This was in April. The entire Coffee High faculty was required to attend. It was held from 6:00 - 9:00 pm.
The gym was set up for the festival. Each department had an area to set up books, student work, ect. Teachers were there to explain what courses are offered. also, the clubs, organizations, and all athletics have an area to set up to explain what they have to offer.
Students and parents could visit any or all of the areas that interested them. Once they left the gym they were put in small groups for a guided tour of the school. Each of the incoming freshmen had received a letter from their teacher/advisor. While on the tour the students and parents could stop to meet and talk to the advisor.
At the end of the tour the students could buy class t-shirts, have refreshments, and win door prizes.
Within the council, large Easter Eggs filled with candy are given to recognize one outstanding member.
Identification-type gold card is given to those students with straight "A's" and silver card goes for an "A" average. The card entitles one to awards or favors such as:
Complimentary shirt
Complimentary backpack
Free parking
Free admission to school activities
First place in line
One catered lunch per semester
Pre-stamped post cards with short positive messages (25 different designs drawn by art students) are provided for teachers. This makes it easy for them to send a "good news" message to a student's home.
Teachers are periodically asked to list students in thier class who should be recognized. Criteria could be for anything including being friendly, having a good test score, or for improved befavior. A "good news" letter is then sent home to parents.
When a teacher or staff member catches a student doing a good job in a class or a club, they award a "Gotcha" card. Some cards may be redeemed for a free snack at the student store. Other cards award a certificate for a local store.
Students can invite their grandparents to the school and take them on a school tour and to eat with them in the cafeteria.
Seniors are inducted into a Hall of Fame which honors those who excel in each academic area. Cocurricular activities, or sports.
Students are given a "You Are My Hero" card and allowed to fill it out. Cards are distributed on a certain day.
Students in this group are recognized for having received an honorary citizenship grade in five of their classes. For this, they get a certificate and a special activity such as a field trip, bowling, or ice cream party.
Twice a year, teachers keep a record of homework done over a period of six weeks. Students who have turned in all required assignments are rewarded by being taken on an excursion, such as a sports event. At the end of the year, these students receive an achievement seal at Awards Night.
An Honor Flag is raised in honor of students who achieved some accomplishment. The person's name is announced over the intercom and they are also given a certificate stating that the Honor Flag is being flown in his / her honor.
Pencils, ribbons, etc. are awarded for honor roll or perfect attendance.
Students who receive a grade point average of 3.5 or highter are recognized with a tag that says "I'm an Honor Student." These students are treated to a special school-time activity.
An assembly recognizes individuals who have been on honor roll, received special awards or scholarships.
Each grading period, the student body is challenged to achieve a specific goal (no F's, a higher GPA than last report, etc.) All students who meet the challenge receive a bumper sticker that says "I Met the Challenge at Wayne County High" and have a pizza party at lunch.
Each teacher gets 10 "Jacket Bucks" a week to give out as rewards for excellence. These are redeemable for buying goods in the school store.
A school pin is awarded for those who excel in certain areas or meet certain criteria.
This is an honorary awards club is for students who display positive attitudes toward school and classroom responsibilities. To enroll, students fill out an application and receive approval from all their teachers each term. Members receive a membership card and a special schooltime activity each term such as a movie, roller skating, swimming, or a fun assembly.
Hershey kisses are mounted on index cards and sold to students for $.25. Purchasers can write a goodbye message. Cards are delivered at graduation practice.
The purpose of this event is to recognize student leaders in the school. Send invitations to all class officers, peer mediators, tutors, yearbook editors, newspaper editors, drum majors and officers of clubs to attend the Leaders Breakfast. Host a breakfast with bagels, donuts and juice. (This could be done after school with pizza and soft drinks.) Decorate with banners and signs, thanking all for their participation.
ATHENS AREA HIGH SCHOOL
Class advisers and officers select 10 students from each class for this program. Selection is based on involvement in class-sponsored activities. These students receive a certificate and pin with "leadership" printed on it.
Presidents from all clubs and captains of all teams are invited for special awards ceremony and dinner during National Student Leadership Week.
Organize a Leadership Day which is offered to the leaders of the schools clubs in the fall. Bus the student leaders to an area college. The event should include guest speakers on topics such as innovative leadership and how to become a good leader. Offer a variety of student-lead workshops. Serve refreshments and lunch. Choose a focal point for the conference and provide a large-group seminar on the topic presented by college students. This event is similar to a PASC District or Regional Conference, but is held for student leaders in one school.
Cost: Depends on the situation with the college facilities, bus transportation and food services.
Helpful Hints: Have a well-planned schedule and keep to it. Give times for breaks, make it fun and keep it organized.
SOUTHERN LEHIGH HIGH SCHOOL
This recognition can be done for any group or individual any time of the year. Before a big event such as a competition, festival or special sporting event, decorate the lockers of the participants to give them special recognition. Be sure to include good luck notes. This is a nice surprise for those competing.
Cost: Minimal.
Helpful Hints: Have plenty of helpers to make signs and notes and to decorate.
SOUTHERN COLUMBIA JUNIOR-SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
Hold a Lock-In once a year from 7:00 PM to 7:00 AM on either a Friday or Saturday night. Have a variety of activities available to students such as a movie room running movies all night, a Sega room with a large screen television for playing Sega games, a dance, Ping-Pong, a food room with a variety of different foods and an activities room with pie-eating contests, arm wrestling contests, an Easter egg hunt, a dance contest, ice breakers, a leadership carnival and a three-on-three basketball tournament. Charge $5.00 per person to cover the cost of food. Each member is allowed to bring one guest.
Helpful Hints: The key to success is having many chaperones.
SUSQUEHANNA COMMUNITY HIGH SCHOOL
A permanent garden is established to remember those students who died during high school.
A permanent board is put in a conspicuous spot and each week a merchant who has contributed to the school extra-curricular program is recognized
Purchase a microwave for the student lunch room so that students can bring food from home and warm it or heat it up. Have a committee in charge of cleaning it periodically.
Cost: $150.
ALLEGHENY-CLARION VALLEY JUNIOR-SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
National Student Leadership Week
All clubs submit a list of their officers and a photo of each group. Announcements are made each morning to introduce the officers of each club. Each officer receives a name tag to be worn all week to identify who they are, what club they represent and their office. Breakfast is served to them by their advisors and the student activity coordinator.
At the beginning of the school year, invite all students who are new to the district and the school to the library during one homeroom period. Give out candy bars with a welcome message. Have Student Government members circulate and introduce themselves.
ATHENS AREA HIGH SCHOOL
The school guidance counselor(s) take the new transfer students OUT of school for part of the day and show them the local attractions and where to find important places in the school district.
ABINGTON HEIGHTS MS
"Senior Big" program is a great way to make freshmen feel they belong and are welcome additions to the school community. Every senior, and some juniors, are assigned a freshman to mentor throughout the school year.
INTERBORO HS
Welcoming Committee members introduce themselves to new students as a friend, contact and mentor. The new student receives school motto items such as mugs, lanyard, pen, etc. An ice cream social is held after school on the first Friday afternoon.
MARS HS
Students decorate the cafeteria and serve their parents plates, provide entertainment, and clean up. Parents are presented with a memento of the occasion.
A certain day is designated as Perfect Attendance/ No Tardy Day. Results are added to Class of the Year Competition. The winning class gets a special consideration (example, entrance to next dance at only $1).
All teacher are given a form for "Personal Best" recognition. Whenever they see a student, teacher, or group doing something special, a form is filled out and submitted to the committee. All students whose names are submitted thave their picture taken and posted on a bulletin board with a description of what they did that was special.
Staff members give students a card that recognizes accomplishments such as citizenship, improved behavior, or participation. Students have their parents sign the cards and then put them in a bowl in the school office. On Fridays, 10 names are drawn to receive a special felt-tip pen.
Personal Responsibility in Daily Effort......Staff members nominate up to 10 students weekly who have demonstrated positive acts such as helping an injured student on crutches; taking homework home to a student who is sick; improvements in attitudes, conduct, attendance, or grades; leadership; or school spirit. A staff committee reviews all nominations and selects up to 10 students to receive pins and certificates. Each Monday, the winners are announced over the intercom.
Pride Week --- Week-long celebration features activities planned for daily themes.
Pride in Planet Day - Environmental emphasis activities are planned.
Pride in Community Day - Homerooms compete in a canned food drive for the local food shelf.
Pride in Organizations Day - All students and staff wear T-shirts, sweatshirts, caps, or jackets that display the name of their favorite team, club, or organization.
Pride in Family and Friends Day - Student Council sells candy-grams an week and hands them out to students on this day.
Pride in School Day - Students and staff wear school colors and buy school spirit items at reduced prices. A motivational speaker is presented in assembly.
Ask the group President to choose a senior member that has displayed leadership qualities throughout the year. Give this award at the Senior Awards Banquet at the end of the year.
Cost: $50 for the trophy or plaque.
DUBOIS AREA HIGH SCHOOL
The school principal sends a letter to parents of students who have performed a praise-worthy deed at school.
Students are given 10 movie passes to distribute to people caught performing an act of kindness. Winners are announced over the intercom.
The school year is opened with a positive assembly. Each week, teachers and administrators nominate a student for some positive act. They are awarded with a "Reach for the Stars" T-shirt and wear them on designated days. Names are put on start and displayed on the star board. For each additional nomination, a sticker is added to their star. Each quarter all stars are taken down to make room for new nominations.
For more information call Larry Biddle (1-800-526-5534).
Make and serve breakfast for the seniors the day before graduation. Food items can include pancakes, donuts, bagels, muffins and Danishes. Serve juice and coffee. This is a nice send-off that students look forward to each year.
Cost: $100 - $150.
Helpful Hints: Plan ahead and have underclassmen that are not members of your group help as well. Advertise!
EAST PENNSBORO AREA HIGH SCHOOL
Each Senior is presented with a pin with the class motto on it. The class president gives thanks to the faculty, presents reminiscence of years and then juniors get to move up into the seniors seats.
Slides are taken of seniors and shown at the end of the year.
Outstanding seniors are recognized during homecoming week.
This banquet can be sponsored every year. Invite all seniors who achieve a 3.5 or better cumulative grade point average to be honored at the banquet. Treat these students and their parents to a catered dinner. Ask senior homeroom teachers to read the list of honors and activities for each scholar. Give each senior a plaque, a certificate and a thesaurus.
Cost: $600 to $800 depending on the number of scholars.
CENTER HIGH SCHOOL
The purpose of this committee is to brighten everyone's day. Set aside one day each month to have members pass out stickers. The type of stickers should be related to the time of year. If there is no special holiday that month, use smiley stickers or other stickers that work for all occasions. Also, every other month, choose a theme; cut out shapes to match the theme; put a student's name on each shape and hang them in the hallways. Examples are The Hall Of Fame,î where each shape is a star, or ìWeíre All Part Of The Puzzle,î with puzzle pieces as shapes.
Cost: $100 per year.
CAMBRIA HEIGHTS HIGH SCHOOL
Each student and staff member gets a paper star to decorate and write his/her name on. Stars are hung on the glass walls of the library. For two months, a "Star of the Day" is selected from each grade.
Following a grading period, those students with all A's are recognized with a breakfast at school.
Examples of student art are displayed.
Straight-A students are taken to a special lunch in a limousine. Five students are taken a day for two weeks.
Arrange for a group of members to visit other schools and see how their groups function and what makes their schools special. Reciprocate the invitation. This activity can promote better relations between rival schools.
In the spring, invite the top students or officers from each club to meet and discuss topics and issues of the school. Hold roundtable discussions along with presentations. Also, invite the school board to watch the process. Afterward, spend an evening with the school board and have the students present what was discussed and pose new proposals that may have arisen.
Cost: $100 - $200 for lunch.
Helpful Hints: Send out invitations and a tentative agenda to the clubs well in advance and send reminders. Have an agenda available at the meeting. Allow plenty of time for presentations and great discussions. Provide ice breakers and energizers to get the meeting going.
BALDWIN HIGH SCHOOL
One student each day is recognized for academics, citizenship, and attitude. Recipients are given a certificate, a complimentary meal at McDonald's, a candy bar, and a letter to their parents.
Listed are many ideas and guidelines that will help honor a Student Of The Month or Week.
Each month, choose a student to be honored by a teacher and named as Student Of The Month. Teachers nominate students for academic achievements, attitude, behavior and extracurricular accomplishments. Every teacher chooses a student to be honored each month. This can be done during a faculty meeting. Each student may only be honored once per semester. Provide the teachers with a list of students who have already been nominated. If more than one teacher chooses the same student, ask them to reconsider. Award each honoree with a certificate signed by the principal and superintendent. Ask the local newspaper to print the winners each month. Don't tell the students who nominated them.
ALLEGHENY-CLARION VALLEY JUNIOR-SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
The purpose of this activity is to encourage students to accept responsibility for themselves in the school and community. Select one student from each grade level each month. Ask staff members and group members to nominate and have the final vote. A student should be selected only once per year. Provide each winner with a certificate. A suggested criteria is:
1) Practices Good Citizenship
A. Helps to make the school a safer and better place.
B. Helps to make the school buses safe and orderly.
C. Volunteers information regarding school problems.
D. Is involved in community projects.
2) Volunteers to Help the Staff
A. Contributes as a Peer Tutor.
B. Serves on the Conflict Resolution Team.
C. Assists as a Transition Coach.
D. Discourages all students from doing drugs.
E. Offers assistance to the staff in the classroom, cafeteria or office.
3) Contributes to the success of student activities by positively participating in those activities.
4) Maintains a satisfactory level of achievement.
NEWTOWN JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL
Each month ask the teachers to nominate a student from each grade level they teach who has been academically outstanding in class. Choose the students from each grade level that receive the most nominations as the winners for the month. If there is a tie, have a random drawing. Each student can only win once during the school year. Announce the winners on the morning announcements, post their names in a highly visible location and congratulate them on the school marquee. Give each honoree a certificate and special Academic Excellence T-shirt.
MARS AREA HIGH SCHOOL
Recognize a student that has put forth an extra effort in class. Ask teachers to fill out a nomination form and return it to the committee. Honor a student from each grade level. Have the committee choose the students who will be honored. Give each honoree a gift certificate and hang his or her photo in the main hallway. Provide a special bulletin board where all nominees and winners can be honored.
NORTH ALLEGHENY INTERMEDIATE HIGH SCHOOL
Have the Student Government select a student based on dedication to the school or a deed that deserves merit. Have members write a description of the honoree and read it at an assembly where the student is honored. Post these accomplishments on a bulletin board for the designated time period.
SPRINGSIDE SCHOOL
Distribute recommendation forms to the teachers. Ask teachers to nominate one male and one female who has shown excellence in and out of the classroom. Have teachers return these forms to the advisor. Have a certificate of excellence made for each nominee. Using a Polaroid camera, take a photo of each student nominated. Attach the photo to the certificate and post them in a main hallway for all to see. Announce the names of the nominees on the morning announcements. Continue this process every month and hold a breakfast for all nominees and their parents at the end of the year. Send home an invitation to the honors breakfast two weeks prior to the event.
WESTLAKE MIDDLE SCHOOL
In May, those students selected as Student of the Month are taken on a picnic
A cash award for 2 teachers every year ($1,500) is awarded. The money is donated by concerned parents of former students.
Monetary incentive for teachers is given to those who design and implement unique and meaningful learning experiences.
Teachers who have been out of the school system for at least five years are nominated by a selection committe made up of veteran teachers and student alumnae. Pictures are hung in a prominent place.
Each day for a week, each teacher is given six stickers which says, "My Teacher Thinks I'm Terrific." Each student given a sticker is also given a chance for a drawing for a grand prize at the end of the week.
Teachers, custodians, secretaries, administrators, and bus drivers distribute thank-you cards to students who routinely perform praiseworth deed around school (cleaning a classroom, returning a lost item, assisting with an activity). The thank-you cards are put in a box for the grand prize drawing. Past prizes include a portable color TV, and stero.
Students and teacher nominate individuals for acts of kindness or humanitarianism.
Very Important Parent award is given to those who support co-curricular projects.
After the first nine weeks of school, students may apply for a VISA pass (Very Impressive Student Attitude). A teacher committe looks at grades and work ethic to award the visa pass. Member receive special privileges, such as a party each month hosted by the student council.
Posterboard is cut in the size of concrete bricks. Throughout the school year, students who have excelled have their picture taken and put on a brick with a description of their accomplishment. Each student gets a "Wall of Fame" notebook and their brick at the end of the year. Letters are sent home to the parents informing them of their child's election.
Put together a packet with items that have the school name or mascot on them such as a pen, pencil, lanyard, button, tablet, etc. Add to these a welcome note and a candy bar or other goodies. Ask area businesses to donate items as well. Have a committee deliver them to new students as they transfer into the district.
Cost: $8 per new student.
Helpful Hints: Work with the attendance office or guidance office to periodically receive the names of new students.
MARS AREA HIGH SCHOOL
These are an exellent way to promote unity and community. They can also be used to reward and motivate. Create a design or phrase and decorate the shirts yourself to cut expenses. Use fabric paints.
These plants can be grown easilt by rooting a cutting in water. Have the big plant in your Council office or the main office of your school and give cuttings to those who are deserving of recognition.
People enjoy recieving mail and will save it to look at often. Post it at someones workstation or send it with a present.
Write a limerick or other poem to celebrate an individual. Pass it out or put it in mailboxes.
Cut out paper top hats and award them to someone who deserves a tip ot the hat
Make a ticket that is burnt around the edges. Put it in a plastic sleeve and you have the hot ticket award. This is a perferct wat to recognize those whose ideas have burned bright,
Give someone a mixing spoon to someone who has stirred things up in a positive manner.
Give this candle to someone who is pushing themselves to the limit.
These marbles are given to a member of your team deserving for having done something magnificent.
Celebrate the shortes day of the year with a variety of noontime activities with a winter theme; sledding, snow sculptures etc.
Create a mural for the senior class that each member puts his or her handprint on. Estimated cost: $30.