On a chilly afternoon filled with laughter, sunshine, and the unmistakable scent of food truck fare, McCaskey High School did something a little different. Students poured out onto the campus grounds not for class changes or drills, but for a moment of well-earned celebration. It was the kind of day that reminds you how special it is when a school comes together, not for a requirement or routine, but just to take a breath, look around, and say: We’re doing something right.
The PBIS Spring Incentive event was a way to recognize student growth, particularly in attendance, and to bring the whole school together as we round the corner into the final months of the year. At McCaskey, PBIS, short for Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports, is part of how we encourage strong habits, reward consistency, and build a positive culture from the inside out.
“So, what are we doing here?” Jed Burkholder, Assistant Principal, echoed with a smile, “We’re celebrating the beginning of spring, but also all the incredible strides we’ve taken as a high school.” They weren’t just talking about the clear skies or budding trees. This was about upward trends in student attendance, improved engagement, and the overall vibe on campus, a sense that students and staff are connecting, growing, and working together in meaningful ways.
Students who maintained 95% or higher attendance during the third marking period earned a free item from one of several food trucks brought in for the occasion, an extra bit of encouragement for making it to class, day in and day out. But that wasn’t where the celebration stopped. Every student was invited to participate in the activities, enjoy the weather, and connect with their peers and teachers outside of the classroom. Every student received a raffle ticket just for being part of the day, with a chance to win fun prizes like free Chipotle, McDonald’s, or movie tickets, because at McCaskey, building community means including everyone.
“For us, it’s important that students see the impact of their efforts,” said Jed. “But it’s also about taking a moment to breathe. This is a chance to shout out all the work they’ve done so far, and set the tone for the rest of the year.”
Indeed, that sense of shared momentum was in the air. Teachers, staff, and administrators moved among students not as supervisors, but as teammates, cheering them on, checking in, and sometimes joining the games themselves. This wasn’t a reward that was handed out quietly or behind closed doors. It was a loud, proud moment that said: We see you. We appreciate what you’re doing. Let’s keep going.
Events like these matter. Not because of the food or the raffles or even the sunshine. They matter because they reflect the work happening in classrooms, in hallways, and in the choices students make each morning to show up and keep moving forward.
With one marking period left to go, the PBIS Spring Incentive was a checkpoint. A reminder that progress deserves acknowledgment, and that schools thrive when they create space for joy alongside accountability. At McCaskey, that balance is becoming part of the rhythm of school life.
And that’s part of what made the event so special.
That word, together, kept coming up. This year at McCaskey has seen noticeable increases in student attendance, especially when compared to earlier post-pandemic years. That kind of growth doesn’t happen by accident. It happens through small, daily decisions: students choosing to come to school even when they’re tired or discouraged; staff members making sure students feel welcomed and supported when they walk through the door; and a school culture that celebrates effort, not just outcomes.
Attendance may not be flashy, but it’s fundamental. Showing up, every day, on time, ready to engage, is one of the clearest indicators of long-term academic success. It’s also a habit that’s built gradually, with encouragement, consistency, and support from both peers and adults. This event gave us a chance to say: We see the effort. We know it’s not always easy. And we’re proud of you for showing up.
Graduation is around the corner. AP exams, finals, prom, senior events, and so much more are on the horizon. There’s still a lot of work ahead. But for one sunny afternoon, McCaskey paused, not to lose momentum, but to build it.
When schools take the time to highlight progress, they help students stay connected not only to their academic goals, but to each other. And when celebrations like this are inclusive when they reflect the real and meaningful efforts of students and staff, they become more than fun events. They become moments that reinforce why school matters.
McCaskey’s PBIS Spring Incentive did exactly that. It reminded us that we’re on this journey together and that when we take the time to recognize what’s going right, we make room for even more good to come.
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