Introduction

Two unnamed students gave their power hour in order to help a student in need. They weren’t looking for anything in return, they just wanted to help. When a student lost their phone and was unable to find it, two students gave their entire lunch to retrace their steps and find their phone. A teacher recognized this, and gave them a Bear Buck. In recent times, Tahoma High School has implemented a new system in order to reinforce positive behavior. This system is called “Bear Bucks” also known as the “Three C Notes”. These bills are given out to students that go above and beyond to contribute to their community. Whether it be sacrificing their power hour to help another student, or going out of their way to tutor; actions like these are what teachers are looking for when giving out a Bear Buck. But what are Bear Bucks actually used for? Let’s ask one of the assistant principals of Tahoma High School.

Interview

Jake Maria, an assistant principal here at Tahoma was able to answer some questions regarding the new Bear Buck policy.
“Bear Bucks or Three C Notes are a way that staff can reward and recognize positive behavior. If a staff member sees a student going above and beyond the normal they can give them a Bear Buck.”
Bear Bucks aren’t something that’s just given out for doing well in a class or doing what they’re supposed to do, it’s about going that extra mile to make things better for another person and or people.
“They can be used at the student store in order to get a dollar off on any item.”
These bills can be used to get a dollar discount off of anything in the student store, and can be saved up and all spent at once to get multiple dollars off of any given item.
“PBIS is a team of staff members that is constantly trying to come up with new ways to increase positive behavior while also decreasing bad behavior. Bear Bucks was one of the methods that we thought of to increase good behavior here at Tahoma.” 

School currencies like these are often seen in middle schools, where they are used to positively reinforce good behavior. When students see and understand the benefits of performing above and beyond, they tend to try and replicate that behavior; creating a better environment overall.
“Some examples of things that students can do to earn a Bear Buck may be helping to clean up the lunchroom or stepping in if another student is being bullied.”
Again, Three C Notes are only given to students that go out of their way to better their community or to help another person. One of the nice things about Bear Bucks is that there is an unlimited amount of them that you can get. According to Maria, teachers received five bills to start, and can request more if they run out. This means that as long as a student keeps doing the best they can to improve the community, they could earn as many notes as possible. Now that we’ve discussed the topic of Bear Bucks through a credible source, let’s get the perspective of a teacher here at Tahoma.

Interview #2

In an interview with Kelly Harned, an English teacher here at Tahoma; we were able to get a teacher’s perspective on the new Bear Bucks.
“Bear Bucks are supposed to encourage students to be more of an active community contributor. You would get them for being a good citizen, like helping another student. You’re not doing it for the money, you’re doing it because you want to help.”
Teachers are looking for students that are doing things for others not because they want something in return, but because they are actively wanting to make a difference in their community. 

“The school not only wants students to be good at the work they do, but to become outstanding citizens as well. Bear Bucks is a good way to promote the idea of being a good contributor.”

Tahoma isn’t just trying to develop the skills and knowledge of our students, we’re also trying to build their characteristics and make them better human beings. All in all, teachers are looking for students that are going beyond the normal; going out of their way to make another person’s life easier.

Conclusion

In conclusion, getting a Bear Buck is a reward for showing your kindness towards your peers and staff members. Whether it be spending your power hour helping another student, or sticking up for another person when they’re being picked on; behavior that goes above and beyond to help another person is what grants a Bear Buck.