Students in the Guttenberg School District this year are finding out that doing the right thing can be rewarding. That’s because Superintendent of Schools Michelle Rosenberg has instituted a positive behavior recognition system to honor good gestures and practices. “The students start with 30 points that promote character building and positive behavior,” Rosenberg said. She will complete her first full year in her post next month.
From that point, more points can be added if the students “go above and beyond” what is expected of them, the superintendent said.
“It’s an incentive for kids to do better and be better behaved,” the superintendent explained earlier in the school year. “For positive reinforcement, for students that do what is above and beyond expectations, they can earn positive points. Those students that have 40 or more positive points will be honored at this ceremony as well.”
But points can also be deducted for “discipline infractions.”
“If a student falls below 15 points, they are considered ‘restricted,’ ” Rosenberg said, “meaning that they are not permitted to participate in extracurricular activities, trips, etc.”
Those with higher “plus” totals are eligible for quarterly awards.
“It’s an incentive for kids to do better and be better behaved.” – Schools Superintendent Michelle Rosenberg
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Rewards for all actions
“You could only get it once and that was it,” he said. “And that doesn’t reinforce consistent, positive behavior.”
With the new system, children are rewarded for myriad reasons; helping a teacher, cleaning up in the lunchroom, or even picking up a book dropped by a schoolmate.
“They can be rewarded for even something like turning in a wallet,” said Donna Grzybowski, educational leader, “for good citizenship, good deeds, and concern for other students in the building.”
“We met with the kids, and one of the things we tried to impress was it’s easier to get the 40 than the 15,” Remondelli said.
Students take to program
The students responded overwhelmingly, and three awards observances, honoring a total of 235 students, were held recently; Dec. 17 for grades 1-2, Dec. 18 for grades 3-6, and Dec. 19 for grades 7-8. The students were lauded there, and their parents were invited to attend. The first event was held even on a day with a couple inches of snowfall.
At the events, students that received honors and high honors were awarded certificates, according to Rosenberg. Those who had received at least 10 positive points and maintained them all marking period were honored as “good citizens.”
Building on initiative
The system is designed to encourage those who didn’t reach the honor levels this time to strive for them next.
“The classmates know that day when their classmates are called out of class to attend the ceremonies,” Remondelli said. “Our hope is it’ll grow from here.”
“It’s about building pride with kids and involving the parents,” Remondelli said. “Then having them come in and celebrate with their children.”
Rosenberg said that the school district would also “stand firm” on its discipline policy this year. Not adhering to it could cost student athletes playing time if they are not meeting “behavior and academic standards.”
Joseph Passantino may be reached at JoePass@hudsonreporter.com.
1st Grade Junior Pride Honorees
1. Kevin Lopez
2. Stephanie Rave
3. Brandon Allen
4. Brianna Armas
5. Karina Corales
6. Alice Ochoa
7. Miguel Palma
8. Shelsy Rodriguez
9. Kinsley Garcia
10. Daniel Pelaez
11. Joshua Gamboa
12. Alejandro Velasco
13. Bryan Marroquin
14. Katherine Amaya
15. Carlos Blanco
16. Bella De Los Santos
17. Amy Flores
18. Bryan Garcia
19. Abdou Mbengue
20. Jomar Zotamba
21. Freddy Sanchez
22. Jesus De La Rosa
23. Camila Florez
24. Hamza Iqbal
25. Darius Moran
26. D’Angelo Rodriguez
27. Mia Stanic
28. Xavier Zambrano
29. Janela Angulo
30. Kamila Franco
31. Sophia Marin
32. Pranav Edupuganti
33. Carolina Villa
34. Natalie Cabrera
35. Pablo Rodriguez
36. Johamm Zotamba
37. Sherly Rodriguez
38. Hugo Blacio
39. Eva Castillo
40. Jacqueline Lopez
41. Isabella Tito
2nd Grade Junior Pride Honorees
1. John Martinez
2. Alexander Torres
3. Jason Marcatoma
4. Carolina Camey
5. Scarlett Green
6. Yasira Pineda
7. Isabella Randell
8. Emely Romero
9. Jonathan Sanchez
10. Mariana Chacon
11. Jade Fuentes
12. David Esquivel
13. Ashley Car
14. Husain Alawawda
15. Victoria Hernandez
16. Brielle Schneider
17. Belen Cardoza
18. Melanie Conforme
19. Brian Fernandez
20. Allison Monzon
21. David Leal
22. Christian Alava
23. Janis Perez
24. Brianna Paulino
25. Jaydy Ordonez
26. Omar Cabrera
27. Kathlyn Huete
28. Joseline Martinez
29. Haylee Montanez
30. Jeffty Gonzalez
31. Denisse Renderos
32. Ashley Sanchez
3rd Grade High Honors
1. Nicole Avecillas
2. Skylynn Bermudez
3. Camille Orozco
4. Andres Rodriguez
5. Melanie Lopez
6. Richard Valdez
7. Leyla Fuentes
8. Aditya Madiraju
3rd Grade Honors
1. Joseph Ortiz Alexandro Cruz
2. Ciara Deine
3. Lindsey Gonzalez
4. Alejandra Almanzar
5. Isaac Barragan
6. Temistocles Gil
7. Frank Amador
8. Alexia Celestin
9. Jonathan Estrada
10. Andres Hernandez
11. Britney Jarillo
3rd Grade Good Citizenship Recipients
1. Frank Amador
2. Jonathan Estrada
3. Nafeza Alawawda
4. Paulina Resendiz
5. Aditya Madiraju
6. Nyla Acosta
7. Alejandra Almanzar
8. Halle Castillo
9. Kevin Roca
10. Richard Velez
11. Nicole Avecillas
12. Skylynn Bermudez
4th Grade High Honors
1. Bleona Krasniqi
2. Jeremiah Polanco
3. Melanie Arias
4. Valeria Miranda
5. Kiana Roman
6. Emily Rivera
4th Grade Honors
1. Kayleigh Guerrero
2. Ciara Flores
3. Sophia Erazo
4. Natalia Geron
5. Jannet Martinez
6. Juan Perez
7. Kailee Lamouth
8. Daisy Marin
9. Liberty Medina
10. Antonio Rubio
11. Yarelis Martinez
12. Amira Kourani
13. Lia Harding
4th Grade Good Citizenship Recipients
1. Jasmin Estrada
2. Jimmy Franco
3. Lia Harding
4. Daniel Mack
5. Brandon Martinez
5th Grade High Honors
1. Sage Clarke
2. Lanaya Carbonell
3. Reem Abughannam
4. Fiona Bezhani
5. Deep Patel
6. Kennedy Richmond
7. Camelia Gil
5th Grade Honors
1. Naif Taha
2. Elizabeth Siguencia
3. Siarah Saavedra
4. Steve Quito
5. Kevin Jimenez
6. Alfredo Velazquez
7. Michelle Campis
8. Joanna Lobo
9. Emiliano Medina
5th Grade Good Citizenship Recipients
1. Kevin Jimenez
2. Chris Rivera
3. Tristan Duchesne
4. Irvin Ramirez
6th Grade High Honors
1. Ludwin Chavez
2. Ozara Dalgo
3. Disha Patel
4. Aniela Gonzalez
5. Julissa Laignelet
6th Grade Honors
1. Marielle Odenthal
2. Daniella Renteria
3. Anthony Molina
4. Anthonio Montanez
5. Adia Nasir
6. Emily Santana
7. Shariah Warren
8. Michael Said
9. Haley Castillo
6th Grade Good Citizenship Recipients
13. Reinaldo Araya
14. Daysi Sarmiento
15. Denisse Sarmiento
16. Michael Said
17. Shariah Warren
18. Steven Jorge
19. Ludwin Chavez
20. Jaylin Duchesne
21. Leslie Rodriguez
22. Disha Patel
23. Anthony Castrillo
24. Alfredo Medina
25. Catherin Mella
26. Ferrando Ortiz
7th Grade High Honors
1. Andy Dong
2. Bryanna Ruiz
3. Bruno Risotto
4. Giovanny Arjona
7th Grade Honors
1. Stephaney Arias
2. Jeydi Rivera
3. Yanaisa Martinez
7th Grade Good Citizenship Recipients
1. Bryan Acosta
2. Andrew Alvarez
3. Constanza Araya
4. Stephaney Arias
5. Gabriela Castro
6. Santos Gonzalez
7. William Reyes
8. Kelvin Sanchez
9. Crystal Alcalde
10. Gabriel Escobar
11. Franklyn Gil
12. Suzanne Hamzah
13. Blake Oramas
14. Alexa Quito
15. Katie Roso
16. Bryan Sabido
17. Scarlett Pavon
18. Lucas Suarez
19. Saja Mutan
20. Greenger Moreno
21. Yanaisa Martinez
22. Andrea Macancela
23. Andrew Inglesias
24. Alaa Awawda
25. Marijelly Argueta
26. Chelsey Albiya
27. Summer Ahmed
28. Andy Dong
29. Paul Guiracocha
30. Anibal Jacobo
31. Eddie Merino
32. Jason Rodriguez
33. Sebastian Mosquea
34. Jeydi Rivera
35. Bryanna Ruiz
36. Bruno Risotto
37. Melanie Cedeno
38. Madeline Espinal
8th Grade High Honors
1. Valeria Perez
2. Vanessa Arradaza
3. Alyxandria Batty
4. Aislinn Bram
5. Daibelis Acevedo
6. Brianna Paez
7. Kyla Arradaza
8. Anne Gao
9. Richard Diaz
10.Debora Garcia
8th Grade Honors
1. Symar Camero
2. Heidy Mendez
3. Matthey Hernandez
4. Ricardo Sierra
5. Antoni Gonzalez
6. Geraldine Moreno
7. Desiree Chavez
8. Melissa Garcia
9. Yessenia Mija
10. Kyana Soto
11. Micaela Turner
12. Nina Lopez
13. Angie Chiroque
14. Ismael De Jesus
15. Samantha Fuentes
16. Carolina Sampson
8th Grade Good Citizenship Recipients
17. Michael Sainato
18. Krysta Alvarez
19. Debora Garcia
20. Kyla Arradaza
21. Nina Lopez
22. Daielas Acevedo
23. Alberto Niebla
24. Karel Gonzalez
25. Geraldine Moreno
26. Leslie Reyes
27. Bradley Loscano
28. Martha de la Cruz
29. Antoni Gonzalez
30. Jonathan Mora