Every time the Students of the Month are listed over the morning announcements, PRIDE Cards are mentioned in tandem. PRIDE cards were originally created as a positive reinforcement to modify student behavior. The rationale was that often good deeds go unnoticed and the PRIDE cards will encourage more students to make the right choices. PRIDE stands for Punctuality, Respect, Integrity, Discipline, and Effort.

The range of deeds that warrant PRIDE cards vary. They can be awarded for holding a door for a teacher or fellow classmate, for  staying after school for an hour  even returning a wallet or phone.

Of course, different teachers give PRIDE Cards for different reasons. “I gave students PRIDE Cards if they participated in Spirit Week,” said Mrs. Urban Rahn.

“I give out PRIDE Cards for exceptional behavior, moral behavior, and simple good deeds,” said Ms. Shapiro

Students get cards for all types of reasons. “I got one from orchestra for handing in my College Now application early and I also got two in math for assisting my peers,” said Samantha Pillarella,  “PRIDE cards make me feel accomplished.”

“I got PRIDE Cards for answering questions on the field trip,” said student of the month Noumousso Conde, “I believe I’m a good student.” It seems like being a good student is the basis for most PRIDE Card distribution, like for student of the month Kaelten Mildenstein who helped a dean with simple favors and started being rewarded for his deeds.

There is no fine line for standards concerning Pride Cards, except that they are only rewarded for good behavior.