Palos 118 Students Strive to be ‘Rising Stars’ in New School Year

They say that virtue is its own reward, but in Palos School District 118, being good also comes with a few extra perks.

Students found that out recently, when teachers and administrators at Palos South Middle School held their kickoff assemblies for the PBIS program which outlines some of the rewards that come from being good school citizens.

PBIS, which stands for Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports, helps model and raise awareness of what it takes to be a positive, productive member of the school community at Palos South. The school district also runs the PBIS program at its Palos East and West Elementary Schools too.

This year’s theme is ‘Rise With the STARS’ serving as an acronym for all of the good traits students should be striving for each day—Studious, Timely, Accepting, Respectful, and Self-aware.

To demonstrate how to be a rising star, teachers shared some “cringey” Tik-Tok videos with Palos South staff acting out examples and non-examples for each of these traits. The goal was to show the students the behavior that will earn them model citizen awards.

By being STARS, students can receive Cardinal Cash, which they earn when a teacher observes them exhibiting Star behavior said Angela Rudolph, an 8th grade ELA teacher at the school who said that the program is all about positivity.

“We’re rewarding you for displaying those expected positive behaviors that we want to see in and out of school,” she said.

In addition to Cardinal Cash, students also can qualify for monthly and quarterly rewards for their good behavior which includes earning an extra physical education hour to play whatever they want to and ‘Tech Time’ where they can surf the web on their phones or even play a game on Nintendo Switch. Students can also qualify for VIP treatment at a basketball or volleyball game with Assistant Principal Meagan Doornbos serving snacks. There will also be opportunities to compete in an obstacle course and play some games against the Palos South staff.

And, new this year, students can also earn a Door Dash lunch delivered to them from an area restaurant.

The school staff wrapped up their assemblies with a trivia contest where students won prizes ranging from Starbucks cards to school spirit wear and Cardinal Cash.

Assistant Principal Meagan Doornbos said that the staff looks forward to hosting the assembly each year.

“Our staff loves putting their creative spin on modeling expected behaviors and coming up with exciting ways to get our students to buy in,” she said.

“The team who ran this assembly, Mr. Duggan, Mrs. Wollschlager, Mrs. Zimmerman, Ms. Radimonaite, and Mrs. Rudolph, did an amazing job getting our students engaged and pumped up for this year’s PBIS program.”