What Goal Buddies are Saying

The students really seemed motivated by our encouragement that they could reach their goals. The ones who had already achieved their goals by the time of our visit really seemed proud of their accomplishments. As the year went on if one of the Goal Buddies was missing for a visit they would ask where they were, so they really seemed to be looking forward to seeing us.
Omaha Public Power District
Field Club Elementary

I feel that the whole concept of the program is great in that it inspires the students to do their best and be the best they can be. So often kids are recognized for what they do wrong. It is great to see their faces full of smiles and receive hugs and cards for recognizing and rewarding them for doing something good.
Union Pacific
Franklin Elementary

I like the fact that we are stressing the importance of math, reading and citizenship but more importantly goals. In my opinion, other than attitude and responsibility, goals are one of the most important building blocks of a person. I believe all kids are talented; it’s a question of connecting with a child at the right time. The more kids hear the message from various adults the more they might think it applies to them.
Carlson Hospitality
Howard Kennedy Elementary

What Teachers are Saying

My students loved our Goal Buddies. Even though our Goal Buddies didn’t have to, they brought treats and other goodies on special occasion days. My students always looked forward to talking to them and made sure that I, the teacher, updated their goal sheets before they came.
Intermediate Grade Teacher
Howard Kennedy Elementary

The Goal Buddies for my classroom were excellent. You could tell they really enjoyed working with the kids and really cared!
Primary Grade Teacher
Field Club Elementary

Our Goal Buddies were excellent. The students enjoyed their visits. They were positive, cheerful and outgoing!
Primary Grade Teacher
Fontenelle Elementary

I use part of each quarter's check to buy prizes for the high five drawings we have every Friday. The other half of the money is saved for an end of the year surprise for the students. I go out and buy one or two brand new books (depending on the class size) for each student. The books are given out first thing in the morning on the last day of school and then the students are given time to begin reading their new books while we have donuts and juice. Several of my students go to the public library on a regular basis but very few of them have new books that they get to keep. Every year they have been very excited to get these and last year one of my students told me that was the first new book anyone had ever gotten him.

The books differ depending on each particular student's reading level and interest - throughout the year many students develop a fondness for a specific genre or author when they choose books from the school and classroom libraries. Whenever possible I try to get them one book by a particular author or one of a series so that they are motivated to go to the library and get more books of the same type during the summer. I go to Borders and get a 20% discount since the books are for classroom use. This year I also have bookmarks for each student.

The years that we have two third grades both classes get books.

Primary Grade Teacher
Mount View Elementary

Our "Journey to Skittles"
I told students after setting the first quarter goals for winners circle that we could talk about a class pet if we received our $50 check.
Well we received our first check and discussed different types of pets we could adopt. After talking over our options we decided on a Guinea pig. Next we had to write Mrs. Comine and get permission to bring the pet into Belvedere, which was our first responsibility.
We went through the process of adopting Skittles, and after a few months of waiting our cage and Guinea pig were delivered. After being awarded our second $50 check we had to replace Skittles food and shaving supply. We used the leftover money to buy Skittles some treats and a new toy for his cage.
Students are very excited to take on the responsibility of babysitting Skittles, or helping clean his cage. It acts as a great incentive to continue earning checks as we need them to care for Skittles.

Thank You for the opportunities Winner Circle provides!
Sincerely, Mrs. Lowndes