May 29, 2015 at 4:30 p.m.
Her lucky day: Alyssa Kossack wins Rhinelander High School PBIS car giveaway
Her lucky day: Alyssa Kossack wins Rhinelander High School PBIS car giveaway
PBIS efforts began three years ago when Assistant Principal Richard Gretzinger came onboard, and according to Principal David Ditzler, it's one of the best things they've done. "I give all the credit to the teachers who invest their time," Ditzler said. "It teaches the expectations of behaviors that make the students ready for the workplace."
PBIS is an organization made up of students, teachers and administrators who "work all year to collect data on school behaviors, create plans to encourage a school environment of respect and rapport, and to reinforce the positive behaviors demonstrated by students," according to a press release.
Because it is teacher-led, it is most effective, Ditzler said.
Since the program began, tardies have gone down 47 percent. The odds of winning prizes, including the car, were purely statistical, said Ditzler, depending on how many cards each student had in the box.
The lucky student who won the Oldsmobile Bravada was Alyssa Kossack.
Seven students were called to pick seven numbers out of a kiddie pool filled with shredded paper. The numbers corresponded to a key to try in the door of the car. Kossack was the first student to try the door.
Many other students won prizes, everything from gift baskets to 18 rounds of golf with a cart, to food and restaurant gift cards, all donated by local establishments.
The Rotary Club donated $500 for PBIS, and school board member Merlin Van Buren donated his stipend for serving on the school board to the PBIS program.
Rhinelander GM donated the Bravada, and Pomp Tires donated a brand new set of tires.
Eastside Automotive did front end work on the vehicle, Detail Pros made sure the Bravada was nice and clean, and Sounds in Motion donated a stereo system. In total, the vehicle was valued at $8,500.
RHS's famous mascot, the Hodag, was on hand to oversee the awards, and accept a $1,000 check for winning the 2015 Frontier Communications Mascot Challenge.
"Rhinelander has a population of 7,700, to get the 23,400 votes to win wouldn't have happened without the support of the community, students, and parents," said Travis Wilson of Wisconsin Sports Network, the contest sponsor.
Senior Mike Anderson advised underclassmen, "Four years ago I saw nothing but opportunity. Get involved."
"This is a fabulous part of who we are becoming," added Ditzler.
Katie Pertunnen may be reached at kpertunnen@ rivernewsonline.com.
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