Jerome Joint School District No. 261

NONINSTRUCTIONAL OPERATIONS 8270

Teacher to Student Incentive

Children learn preferences for foods made available to them, including those that are unhealthy. There are many

disadvantages to using food as a reward:

It undermines nutrition education being taught in the school environment;

It encourages over-consumption of foods high in added sugar and fat; and

It teaches children to eat when they’re not hungry as a reward to themselves.

Teachers are encouraged to consider non-food items as teacher to student incentives. Should teachers decide to

use food items as an incentive, they are encouraged to adhere to the District Nutritional Standards.

The following are zero-cost alternatives to using food as a reward:

• Sit by friends;

• Watch a video;

• Read outdoors;

• Teach the class;

• Have extra art time;

• Enjoy class outdoors;

• Have an extra recess;

• Play a computer game;

• Read to a younger class;

• Get a no homework pass;

• Make deliveries to the office;

• Listen to music while working;

• Play a favorite game or puzzle;

• Earn play money for privileges;

• Walk with a teacher during lunch;

• Eat lunch outdoors with the class;

• Be a helper in another classroom;

• Eat lunch with a teacher or principal;

• Dance to favorite music in the classroom;

• Get “free choice” time at the end of the day;

• Listen with a headset to a book on audiotape; and

• Have a teacher read a special book to the class.

The following are low-cost alternatives to using food as a reward:

• Select a paperback book;

• Enter a drawing for donated prizes;

• Take a trip to the treasure box stocked with non-food items;

• Get stickers, pencils, and other school supplies;

• Receive a video store or movie theater coupon;

• Get a set of flash cards printed from a computer; and

• Receive a “mystery pack” including items such as a notepad, folder, sports card, etc.

Policy History:

Adopted on: 02/28/2017

Revised on