As the 2018/19 school year came to a close, first year Principal Michelle Richards presented 18 students with a special award signifying their superb effort and performance throughout the month of June.
The ceremony marked the latest round of monthly Washington Ways Awards, which have become a tradition at the school. Dr. Richards assumed the mantle of building leadership last July after then Principal Marsha Neville retired following a three-decade long career as music teacher and administrator. The new principal took delight in presenting awards to students in each of the 10 months of the school year.
The names of the honorees were announced over the building’s public address system by Dr. Richards. One by one they walked down to the main lobby and were given a colorful certificate. The group then assembled and posed for a commemorative photo with the principal.
June’s honorees included Nico DeFelice, Mariela Rivera Garcia, Joseph Castillo, Jayleigh Lamy, Andy Velasquez, Enzo Guardado, Gabriella Mejia Alfaro, Makaylyn Bourjolly, Jason Bencivenga, Savanna Sturges, Sofia Soler, Yasmin Palacios, Darren Krantz, Abigail Uvena, Xavion Greene, Mia Gulino, Janeyshka Camacho and Izabelle Colato.
The entire classes of teachers Miriam Engle and Kristin Thatcher were also recognized for their splendid efforts and performance during the month of June.
“These are all lovely children, who have been kind and considerate and enthusiastic with their teachers and classmates,” Dr. Richards said. “We are very proud of them and wish them well in the future.”
Students who will be returning to the school next September can’t wait to have another opportunity to capture a monthly Washington Ways Award and hear their name sound out from the public address system.
Here’s how the monthly Washington Ways program works:
White tickets are awarded weekly for good behaviors and actions in the classroom. White ticket winners are honored with special recognition in their classroom at the end of each week and their names are announced every Monday morning.
Red tickets are presented to individuals for especially good behavior outside of classrooms, including in hallways, buses, the playground and cafeteria, etc. At the end of the month, the student in each class with the greatest number of red tickets is recognized with a special certificate. The names of the honorees are announced over Washington’s PA system.
Students are quite aware of the Washington Ways program and the reason it exists. They are happy to be recognized with a colorful ticket. They quickly give the ticket to their classroom teacher so a notation can be made and it can be credited to them. They love telling their parents about their recognition, too.
Entire classes can earn blue tickets for positive group behavior outside of the classroom. Blue tickets are also awarded to the two classes within the building with the most tickets overall.
