Promoting positivity

Mickelson Middle School recognizing students with ‘praise referral’ program

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BROOKINGS – It’s never a good thing when you’re summoned to the principal’s office; at least, that’s how it’s always been. 

But as Mickelson Middle School Assistant Principal Todd Foster explained, that could change thanks to a praise referral program recently introduced to the school.

Started this school year, the idea stems from Mickelson Middle School’s ongoing emphasis on doing the right thing. In the last few years, schools officials have promoted that message by putting it on signs, student ID lanyards and rubber wristbands.

With the focus on doing the right thing, though, the natural extension of that became recognizing students when they do good deeds, giving rise to the praise referrals, which is a way to acknowledge students’ good actions.

Any staff member can nominate any student. The teacher fills out a one-page form that lists a variety of praise-worthy behaviors. A student could be praised for instances of caring, citizenship, fairness, responsibility, trustworthiness or doing the right thing, among other things.

“We had an eighth-grade student who had lost the key to her locker and was very frantic. A teacher said one of her students walked out of the classroom and saw that and went right over to her and spoke with her calmly and helped her look through her locker and book bag and find what she needed. It was just amazing to see that interaction because sometimes kids wouldn’t do that,” Foster said. “That gives you a good feeling about our kids and what they can do and what they are capable of. And we like to recognize that.”

Students selected then are called to the office of Foster or Principal Tim Steffensen, where they go over the praise referral with the student and thank them for their positive actions. They also get a T-shirt with a Brookings Bobcat logo on the front and the words “I did the right thing” on the back, and the students do wear them proudly.

Of course, they don’t just hand them out to everyone, either; the award must be kept special.

“Kids are really excited when they get this stuff and are recognized,” Foster said. “When they get called down here to see the assistant principal, they think they’re in trouble, most of the time.”

But when they realize why they’ve been called to the office, there are always smiles.

Even the students’ parents are called to let them know of the award. Just as a call to the principal or assistant principal’s office can worry a student at first, parents can fear a call from the principal or assistant principal about their child.

“It’s good for us to make those positive contacts with parents, too, to say we really appreciate what your son or daughter has done or does in our building, and we appreciate you as parents for helping your child make good decisions in their life and teaching them to do the right thing,” Foster said.

“Probably 70 percent of the time, the parents will ask me, ‘What did my child do?’ At the end, they’ll go, ‘My heart skipped a beat because I thought this was going to be a bad thing.’”

According to Foster, letting parents know about the good things their child has done makes for a better connection between families and the school.

Bringing praise referrals to the school also has been a positive thing for the school environment, helping train staff to look for the good things happening around them, not just the bad.

And, ultimately, Foster hopes it brings the school theme of “doing the right thing” to the forefront and encourages students to stay positive during what can be a difficult period of their lives.

“For middle school kids, it’s not an easy time in their lives – lots of emotional ups and downs. They get confronted with a lot of tough decisions,” Foster said.

Happy with the program’s reception from students, staff and parents so far this year, Foster said Mickelson students can look forward to the program coming back again next school year, perhaps with some changes or additions in how they celebrate a deed well done.

Contact Eric Sandbulte at esandbulte@brookingsregister.com.