Win or lose, Jordan Terry was always smiling as he played Bingo during Resilience Academy’s monthly Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) incentive program to reward students.
“I like Bingo and winning prizes,” said Terry, who won a bag of goodies that included a Dunkin Donuts gift card, charger box, and stickers. “I hope to play Bingo again.”
Bingo was brought back as a PBIS incentive program in October. Students watched a movie in November and participated in a number of holiday events, including caroling, in December.
“I always like Bingo,” said Micheal Ford, who won two stuffed animals. “It’s a game of chance. It’s like gambling but child-friendly. “I enjoy the calmness of Bingo. It’s easy. You don’t have to put too much effort into it. When you have a headache, you don’t have to think too much.”
The PBIS incentives reward students for showing up to school, being on time to class, doing their work, and great behavior.
“We’re hoping to build their self-esteem and really see their good behavior is noticed and rewarded, an incentive for them to keep showing us that positive behavior and reward the students doing great,” said teaching assistant Christina Olson. Olson read off the numbers at Bingo.
“I’m a huge fan of Bingo, and the students seemed really into it,” said Olson. “They’re focused. They get to be a little competitive and win some cool prizes but at the same time get to have some fun.
“Just seeing the smiles on their faces when they win and get excited to be a part of something you’d be surprised a teenager would want to be a part of is a lot of fun.”
Resilience Academy staff donate the prizes. This month’s prizes included Dunkin Donuts gift cards, two movie tickets to Roosevelt Cinemas, and stuffed animals.
Students also are provided with snacks and drinks. This month’s Bingo snacks were Cheez Doodles and Welch’s Fruit Snacks.
“Having more things for them to be excited about helps us draw them in,” said Olson.