- Student Recognition - - invite students who earned a place
on the honor roll to an Honors Banquet; the banquet can
be held at a local restaurant during school hours or in
the evening. In many communities, restaurants may be
willing to support a program of this nature by providing
meals at cost or even at reduced prices. Invite prominent
people to speak at the banquet - educational leaders,
political leaders, business people; the list can be
endless.
- Gold cards - - give students who earn a place on the
Honor Roll a Gold Card which is honored by participating
businesses who provide discounts to students for the
marking period. Some businesses provide reduced prices on
items in their stores while others allow students to have
something for free, i.e., a free video rental.
- Honor Society - - make a determined effort to share
the recognition of students by honoring them during the
school day, with other students in attendance. Most
parents are more than willing to come in during the day
to participate in the ceremony. If it is not possible to
have the ceremony during the day, have it in the evening
but be sure to invite faculty, staff and students to
attend.
- Honors Passes - - students who earn a place on the
Honor Roll could receive an Honors Pass which allows them
certain freedom of movement in the building. A list of
guidelines can be developed and students can be asked to
sign agreements to abide by these guidelines. We want to
send the message that the students on the honor roll have
demonstrated a commitment to academic excellence and have
shown a maturity of judgment and an acceptance of
responsibility that entitle them to more rights and
privileges.
- Senior Citizens Banquet - - at least once a year, perhaps around
the time of a music concert, invite senior citizens to a
luncheon banquet at the school; the banquet, run with the
cooperation of the school lunch program, can be sponsored
by a class, by a school service organization, or by the
entire school, if it is small one. Parents have been very
willing to come in to assist in the preparation of the
meal. Prior to the banquet, invite the senior citizens to
a dress rehearsal of the musical program, since many
senior citizens are reluctant to attend programs in the
evening.
- Senior Citizens Passes - - provide passes to area senior
citizens to attend all school functions at no charge;
while some will provide a donation in exchange for the
ticket, many will appreciate the extra welcome provided
by the school.
- Back to School Week - - choose a week during the school year
to invite parents and community members to your school.
Businesses have been more and more willing to provide
release time to their employees for activities of this
nature. Make a special effort to personally invite
community and business leaders to attend school for the
day, or part of the day.
- Honors Assemblies - - at the end of each marking period,
hold an honors assembly at which students on the honor
roll receive certificates, bumper stickers and gold cards
for having earned a place on the Honor Roll.
- Student Recognition - - if a student performs exceptionally
well, why not recognize that achievement? A short note
from an administrator, mailed to the student, provides a
significant boost in morale for the student.
- Career Day - - hold annual career days; not only is
this a good educational experience for the students, it
helps local business people learn more about the school
and our needs; conversely, it helps us understand the
employment needs of business in our area.
- News releases - - news releases mailed to local media
can be helpful; publish things such as honor rolls,
special class projects or activities, assemblies, school
activities, etc.
- Newsletters - - provide periodic newsletters not only
to the families of students but also to board members,
business leaders, and other community members. A simple
database can be used to include new people; encourage
members of the school community so suggest other folks
who might be included in the mailing list.
- Honor Roll - - publish a list of students who earn a
place on the Honor Roll in the local media; teachers and
administrators should be encouraged to write letters to
the students, recognizing the significant accomplishment
of the young person. Using a database makes this task
easier and also allows administrators to write special
letters to those students whose averages increased
significantly during the quarter.
- Positive Reinforcement - - faculty members should be encouraged
to contact the families of students by phone or letter
when the youngster has shown significant improvement or
demonstrated positive qualities of behavior.
Administrators can also increase rapport with parents by
contacting them when the youngster has done something
well.
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