Students had their names entered into a drawing as part of the school’s Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) initiative and the selection was made during the school’s awards assembly on May 29.

Second-grader Remmi Rector received a new Diamondback Viper bicycle while fifth-grader Grant Utt gained a 1987 Dyno D-Tour freestyle bike which was refurbished by district Technology Coordinator Josh Manist and his son, Zane. Both rides feature the school’s signature blue-and-yellow color scheme while Utt’s version also includes the district’s logo.

SLES Assistant Principal Jordan Wrask said the elementary teachers identified students through academics and a PBIS focus and their names were entered into the drawing. Zane Manist had the honor of pulling the winners’ names at the end of the school year.

“They were students who went above and beyond academically…and had a positive behavior aspect,” Wrask said. “Josh’s son, Zane, drew the names and they were both there for the drawing.”

Wrask said some changes may be made for next year’s initiative so kids have more chances to win.

“We anticipate doing it differently moving forward. Next year, we’re going to be giving out C.A.R.E.S. cards throughout the school,” he said.

C.A.R.E.S. stands for Cooperation, Accountability, Respect, Effort and Self-Control and teachers will recognize a pupil based on each of the characteristics. Each time the student earns a card, their name goes into a monthly drawing along with the staff member who recognized them.

“We will keep track of how many cards the students get throughout the year and it will equal the number of times they are entered into the final reward drawing,” Wrask commented. “Grant and Remmi were so excited. It’s really nice to see that they not only liked them but are really using them.”

Meanwhile, Josh Manist said the recipients were very deserving.

“I was very excited to see who they went to. I knew it was meant to be when they pulled the names,” he added. “Grant is already modifying dirt bikes and is into riding, and Remmi was in love with her bike. She was really excited about it.”

Manist, Zane and nephew Nathan Hawkins busily restored the Dyno D-Tour and purchased the smaller Diamondback with the goal of presenting them to two lucky recipients who performed well through the PBIS program for good behavior and attendance.

The refurbished bicycle features remade 1987 graphics while with powder coating completed by Cline’s Power Coating of Toronto and supplies from school district staff member Bobby Westover. Manist said he and his family have collected and fully restored bikes from the 1980s and 90s and regularly ride them around the Toronto, Steubenville and Wheeling areas, but the latest project was meant to brighten up the life of another child. He noted there was a possibility that he might do it again.

“I think I’d like to build another one for next year, but with reversed colors of blue on yellow.”