School district plans to pat a few backs

Danette Goulet

NEWPORT-MESA -- It’s time to give credit where credit is due.

And that is just what will begin to happen this fall in the

Newport-Mesa Unified School District.

An employee recognition committee formed last year has developed a

program that will put nomination ballots in the hands of every person who

comes into contact with school district employees. The program is an

effort to award praise to those who are deserving.

“We’re excited about it, and I think we need to do this,” said Bruce

Crockard, the director of classified personnel for the district and a

committee member. “Obviously, people come to work for the pay, but if all

you receive is pay and not recognition, you just don’t have the same

spirit -- not to diminish the pay.”

Each letter in the title of the program, PRIDE, stands for one of the

five areas in which an employee can be recognized. The P stands for

positive attitude. The R recognizes the person’s number of years in

service to the district. The I is for initiative and creativity. The D is

for dependability, and the E is for excellence in customer service.

Nominators must choose from one of these categories.

Although the nominations are expected to come primarily from fellow

employees, parents and students are welcome to fill out the ballots, said

Jim Rogers, a committee member and chemistry teacher at Corona del Mar

High School.

“I’ve been in this district 30 years, and from my perspective it’s

something that needs to be done,” Rogers said. “We all need those pats on

the back.”

Starting in October, nominated employees can expect a light pat on the

back on a monthly basis and a bigger boost four times a year.

Each month, committee members will gather all the nominations and call

employees to congratulate them.

Each quarter, Crockard said, those employees will be invited to a

reception at the school district prior to a board meeting where they will

receive a certificate and pin in a show of gratitude.

Although there is no district money going into this program, the

classified employees union has pledged to donate funds, and the committee

is seeking more.

Crockard said any contributors would, of course, be recognized.

No one is sure how the program will take off, but employees are

excited about the idea.

“It just gives you something to strive for,” Crockard said. “If you

look at kids when their teacher praises them, or parents praise them, for

a job well done, you see how excited they get. Adults need that, too.”