Positive behavior is being honored at Freedom High School with the installation of the Falcon 5 program.

Each month, faculty members nominate students who showcase exemplary behavior in and out of the classroom, and at the beginning of each month, five names are drawn and those five students – the Falcon 5 – are rewarded with an item from the school store. Their pictures are also prominently displayed in the main office.

But rewarding good deeds doesn’t end there. At an end-of-the-year rally, the names of all nominees not selected to the elite Falcon 5 go into a special drawing. The winner spends the summer enjoying a new iPad, prime motivation for students to be on their best behavior.

Activities Director Dana Johnston said the program is a way to honor students who emulate what a Freedom Falcon should be: “Students are given pats on their backs from staff members on campus when they display the top Falcon 5 behaviors: preparedness, accountability, respect, a positive attitude and a ‘Falcon,’ a student who consistently meets expectations and sets a good tone and is sensitive to those around them.”

Principal Erik Faulkner said the Falcon 5 program is the latest in a series of efforts to promote positive behavior, unite the campus community and improve campus morale. Falcon 5 augments the Be the Change Club, Chain Links and the annual Challenge Day, which also promote respectful and compassionate behaviors.

The inaugural Falcon 5 are sophomore Anna Carter, honored for being responsible and turning in a cell phone she found on campus; sophomore Jeremy Llewellyn, nominated for displaying respectful and responsible behavior in the classroom; freshman Martin Hernandez, who’s working extra hard to excel in his algebra class to overcome hurdles associated with being an English-as-second-language student; senior Alexa Markel, a talented teacher’s assistant and helpful office aid; and freshmen class co-president Emily To’o, whose work ethic has earned her a perfect score in algebra class.