Carl W. Goetz Middle School
Jackson, New Jersey, USA 

Santa Calls

This middle school is determined to communicate with students and parents about what they are doing right. After searching past discipline logs, students were identified for demonstrating improved behavior and attitudes over the course of the year. In the spirit of the holiday season, parents were greeted with “Santa Calls” which consisted of a three-minute message to alert families with good news. Instead of using phone communication for only negative reasons when parents would typically say, “Oh no, what did my child do now?” positive behavior at school was honored. Parents and students were overwhelmingly supportive of the program and the positive feedback they receive from the school. Consequently, the behavior of many students continued to improve throughout the year. What began as a holiday occasion has grown into a yearlong program that is fostered by teachers and administrators alike. In just a short message to families, a little positive reinforcement makes a big difference in the life of an adolescent.