Motivating, honoring students

PUSD, Tule River Tribe reward classroom performance

El Tapatio is normally closed on Mondays, but for hard-working Porterville High School students and their families, the popular Porterville restaurant made an exception and opened its doors to host the Native American Incentive and Recognition Luncheon.

In a tradition that dates back more than 40 years, Porterville Unified School District and the Tule River Tribal Council host the incentive events four times per school year to reward native American students at local middle schools and high schools who have maintained a C average or better with no F’s and have missed no more than four school days per quarter.

Students must also demonstrate good behavior in the classroom and on school buses. Additional recognition is given to students who have earned a GPA higher than 3.5, as well as those with perfect attendance for the quarter.

Each student recognized was allowed to bring two parents to the luncheon, which filled the restaurant to near its capacity with proud parents and students who were happy to receive the recognition and the break from their school day routine.

The event was also attended by PHS administrators, representatives from PUSD administration and four members of the Tule River Tribal Council, RECORDER PHOTO BY MATTHEW SARR Top: Lois Noland, Title VI instructional assistant for PUSD, stands among students and their family members at the Native Monday. Above: Christine Amann, assistant principal at Porterville High School, presents certificates of recognition to students at the Native American Incentive and Recognition Luncheon Monday at El Tapatio restaurant. who provided the funding for the event.

“The Tribal Council is awesome for supporting these incentives,” said Martha Stuemky, assistant superintendent for PUSD. “Not only does it [acknowledge] these students for their effort, but it promotes attendance, good grades and good behavior.”

Ryan Garfield, vice chairman of the Tule River Tribal Council, feels that the extra motivation instilled in Tribal students is well worth the investment.

“Seeing the graduation rates come up among the Tribe is a positive thing. Not only that, the number of students pursuing higher education at junior colleges and universities has increased as well. These are all positive things for us,” said Garfield.

After 30 minutes of dining and conversation, Christine Amann, assistant principal at PHS, called each of the 43 PHS students by name and presented them with certificates of recognition, and identified students who achieved perfect attendance for the quarter or earned a GPA of 3.5 or higher.

Lois Noland, Title VI instructional assistant for PUSD, is in her 33rd year with the program, and credits

the incentives with improving attendance and classroom performance among Native students.

“It helps with their attendance and keeping their grades up, and it’s increasing. We have a lot more kids qualifying now, and a lot of parent involvement as well. They are encouraging their kids to come to school because they want to come to these events too,” she said.

In past years PUSD only hosted two luncheons to recognize all district students that met the goals. This year, Pioneer Middle School and PHS have so many qualifying students that each school received their own luncheon. Last Wednesday, PUSD also held a luncheon for qualifying native American students attending all other middle schools at Poor Richard’s Pizza, and Wednesday they will have a luncheon at El Nuevo Mexicali for all other qualifying high school students.

“This encourages students to keep doing better,” said Amann. “Porterville High School has

the largest population of Native students, and that population has the smallest graduation rate, so we really want to raise that and see our kids graduate.”

As the school year progresses, students stand to gain more than a free meal for their efforts. For the next quarter, students who meet academic and attendance criteria will be given a gift card, and in the third quarter they will receive free passes to the Porterville Fair and a ride bracelet.

For PHS junior Maria Amaya, who has received multiple recognitions for attendance and grades through high school, the incentive program has achieved its goal.

“It makes me want to do better and get good grades, and attend school more often,” said Amaya.

David Rodriguez, Amaya’s father, enjoyed the chance to have a meal with his daughter and be a proud parent.

“It’s a great opportunity for the kids to excel and for us to celebrate it,” said Rodriguez.