Aarigaa Points System Analysis

“When I say ‘Aarigaa’ you say ‘Ha!’” Leaders, speakers, and children throughout the district chant those exact words to pump up the audience before a speech or presentation is given. “Aarigaa” is Iñupiaq for “good” or “how nice!” As parents or grandparents communicate with their children or grandchildren, “Aarigaa” is a word that comes out of their mouths to express how happy they are that their child or grandchild had done an action so miraculous and so heartwarming. Barrow High School has a point system that rewards students for their good deeds, amazing behavior, spectacular grades, and respect for their peers and staff. This point system is called “Aarigaa Points.” Last school year; the upcoming vice principal of Barrow High School had a meeting with hand-selected students on how to improve the school and the learning environment. In this meeting, the students discussed ways to bring the school closer together, fix attendance rates, develop a better curriculum, and start a rewards system for students to improve their behavior at school. These ideas ranged from excusing the students of being tardy, homework passes, student store discounts, …show more content…
There are multiple ways in earning points for the spectacular prizes, such as showing kindness and respect towards others, attending school wide activities, having magnificent grades, showing up to school everyday, and even picking up loiter that builds up along the hallways. Each student is awarded points for acts they have demonstrated in front of teachers and other staff members; furthermore, as the points build up, the class average points’ skyrocket and the class earns bragging rights. The points could be used to purchase items at the student store, be utilized as a homework pass, skip the lunch line, or build up points to rack up the class average points to win a pizza party at the end of the