Tecumseh Middle School has several programs in place to support students both emotionally and academically. The RAK program, a school-wide initiative launched on National World Kindness Day, encourages and rewards students for being respectful, kind, and caring.
The RAK (Random Acts of Kindness) program allows students to earn, save, and redeem tickets awarded for demonstrating good character and acting positively. Accumulated tickets can be used at the RAK store to purchase items donated by teachers, and local businesses and organizations.
Arrow Parent Nation, the middle school’s parent/teacher organization, sponsors the store which is open on the second Wednesday of the month.
Other components of the program include “RakYak” which encourages students to report positive happenings among their peers rather than tattling and “Raktivist,” a distinction given to students earning the most RAK tickets.
According to Tecumseh Middle School guidance counselor Jennifer Priest, the RAK program evolved as a way to improve upon an incentive program where winners were chosen randomly. “With the new RAK program, every student gets something,” said Priest.