Program gives students incentives to perform well

PLAINS – Recently the Plains High School has started a new program – one that gives kids more of an incentive to do well in school.

The incentive program is called B’s are Better and was first introduced in October.

The program rewards kids who are earning good grades while trying to get some of the borderline students to boost their grades.

“I decided that I want to try to reach some of the kids who were border line students with Cs and Ds,” said School Counselor Tyrel Allen. “I try to get them to put forth more effort getting their work done and it could benefit the kids who are already getting their work done.”

Every student who earns an A or B on either a homework assignment, test or a quiz, receives a raffle ticket with his or her name written on the back. Those tickets are then put into a bucket and two different prizes are drawn – one weekly and the other monthly.

All prizes are donated from local businesses and the smaller weekly prizes include t-shirts, water bottles, soda or candy – anything the businesses decide to donate.

The monthly prize comes for a sponsor business and includes a bigger prize. In weeks past, Deemer Creek donated a $50 gift certificate and the Circle donated $30 towards dinner at their establishment.

Allen said so far he has heard positive reinforcement from the students participating.

“I hear a lot of good things. I think so far it has been really well received,” Allen said. “The teachers say kids are excited about getting their tickets.”

Allen brought the JMG class on board and currently the students are taking the bulk of the responsibility into their own hands. The 12 students in the fourth hour JMG class are responsible for reaching out to businesses for donations.

Student Council President and JMG class participant, Keeley Benson, said the program is important for several reasons.

“I feel it’s important because I feel good students with good grades should be rewarded for what they do…I feel it’s a great reward,” said Benson. She also mentioned that it encourages those with lower grades to boost them in a chance to win some prizes.

Benson wants to see the program expand to include every business and wants to see students take advantage of the incentive, ultimately raising their grades.

“We’re really just hoping to keep it going because this is the first year we came up with it,” said Benson.

The journey has had a few bumps along the way but both Benson and student Ben Gorham said it has gotten easier.

Most businesses have been on board and Benson said all the businesses she has spoke with have donated something.

“All the businesses I’ve approached have agreed to it because they think it’s great to get this involved,” said Benson.

Gorham said most of the excitement can be seen in the younger classes, although Benson said the older kids are starting to warm up to the idea of the program.

Their hopes are to continue growing the program, increasing grades across the board, while rewarding those students who already lead the pack with good marks. The one thing they hope for is continued support.

“I think the more support, the better the program will be. Any little bit helps,” said Benson.

Anyone who is interested in donating items to the B’s are Better Incentive Program can contact Tyrel Allen at the 826-2600.