There is a buzz around WMS about the WMS Positive Behavior Rewards Program. Teachers hand out tickets to students who show respect, kindness, and to those who were doing the right thing. The tickets go into the bucket in the cafeteria, and every 2-3 weeks, there is a raffle. There are 10 winners, and the prizes can vary. 

Mr. Panko, the principal of WMS, said that this program is an extension of the Warrior Wednesday program, which has been a part of WMS for a decade, to inspire positivity. This program helps students each year based on how they behave. Every Friday, a student is chosen as the “Student of the Week.” This student is recognized for doing the right thing and having a good record at school. In addition to that, the Warrior Wednesday program rewards students for showing good behavior and making positive choices. It’s a great way to celebrate those who are doing well.

Mr. Panko added that this program makes it easier to reward students for more than just academics, saying, “So we want to make sure that people can get rewarded both ways.”

Mrs. Acheson, the SAC counselor at WMS and 7th-grade Reward Coach, explained how students can earn tickets.  She said, “Students can earn tickets in 4 ways: by meeting school expectations, helping with safety, respecting themselves, and assisting others.”

Mrs. Chesney, a teacher at WMS and the 6th-grade Reward Coach, explained where the tickets can be submitted. Chesney said, “When students receive a ticket, they’ll bring it to lunch and drop it in a labeled bin for the drawings.”

Mrs. Liastro, the 8th-grade Reward Coach, cheer coach, and teacher at WMS, said she believes the program can promote positive behavior. She said, “Well, the idea is to really promote positive behavior and academic success within our school.”  

She said she thinks that by rewarding students who are doing what they need to be doing, it will increase other students’ participation, and more students will want to do the right thing. 

Mrs. Liastro added, “…and most of them do, now we’re just recognizing them.” 

Mrs. Valente, one of our guidance counselors at WMS and the Warrior Wednesday Manager, said, “We just hope that it adds more positivity, something to look forward to, and yes, it’s important we all know to do work, you have to do your homework, and you have to make the right choices. But it’s sometimes not always easy, and sometimes we find ourselves going into a different direction. In any event, it should bring some more positivity and something to look forward to.” 

Mrs. Douglas, a teacher at WMS and the 8th-grade Reward Coach with Mrs. Liastro, explained where the money came from for the prizes. Money from candy sales will support the 8th-grade fund for exciting prizes for Warrior Wednesdays. 

Mrs. Liastro explained what the prizes can be. Some of the prizes are food or candy like Takis and Sour Punch Bites. Prizes are given at lunch, and there will be prize packs. Prize packs are when there are multiple prizes in one bag.  Some rewards will be to sit with your friends at lunch. 

She added that there are certain prizes just for 8th graders, “…or for 8th grade, being able to go to the gym during lunch, play, hang out.”

During the interview, Mrs. Liastro shared some more prizes that the teachers have planned for the following raffles: “Also, we might give away prizes like gift cards and stuff to local businesses around Woodbridge that we know kids may like. But we are also trying to work towards getting bigger prizes for some of the big assemblies we have coming up later in the year.” 

Mrs. Acheson said, “This year, we have a bunch of prizes and ideas of things that teachers can actually donate prizes to.” This emphasizes the community-building aspect of the program.

Mrs. Acheson gave a sneak peek of what she will be doing as her own personal prizes, “So for myself, I want to donate a prize of letting students have lunch in my office, bring a friend, and order a pizza watch a movie and have hot chocolate like actual things that you can do in the building on top of having homework passes or being first in the lunch line–things that you can enjoy in the building, but also things that people are going to be like ‘I wish I could do that to.’ ” 

Emma Ventura, an 8th-grade student at WMS and the first winner of the program, shared that she got the ticket from Mr. Malmstrom and how she got it; “I got a ticket for being a leader in class and helping other students with Content Creation in Journalism. I try to be kind and show school spirit.”

Blake Roe, another 8th-grade student at WMS and one of the winners in the second drawing, explains how the program influences him, “It influences me to be a better student at school…Yeah, I have been getting better grades than last year.”

Mr. Panko now shares his point of view about positivity and the program, “Listen, we just want people to be positive, be good role models, and work with one another, even though you may not like that person at times. You have to be able to deal with them and work with them as you move throughout your school day. That being said, we want people to be rewarded for that, and I want to make sure we have a positive school.” 

Overall, the Warrior Wednesday Program continues to make a positive impact on students and staff at WMS, showing positivity, leadership, and school spirit. 

Drawing Dates: 10/1, 10/22, 11/19, 12/17, 1/21, 2/11, 3/4, 3/25, 4/22, 5/13, 5/27