Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/166026
TK "We felt this would be one way for students to feel valuable and welcome," says Joanna Butcher, shown with students Natasha Gangal and Biancka Dela Cruz. students' attention like Milpitas High Compliments, which has accumulated nearly 500 followers. "When it came to figuring out ways to recognize the positive, my students knew the vast majority of students are on the phone and using social media," says Butcher. "Potentially, it has the opportunity to truly impact students who might otherwise go unnoticed. We felt this would be one way for students to feel valuable and welcome. And it's a way to reach all 3,000 students without leaving anyone out." The postings are anonymous, because students are more willing to be complimentary if they don't have to reveal their identities. Posts must be positive and cannot include profanity. Sarcastic or inappropriate posts are promptly removed. PHOTOGRAPHY BY SCOTT BUSCHMAN Educator 09 Sep 2013 v3.6 int.indd 49 Those who post complimentary messages are encouraged to "tag" their friends. The page is getting attention not only at Milpitas High School, but in local media and throughout the community. One reader posted a response to an online article that ran in the Milpitas Patch expressing hope that compliments pages could go nationwide as a countermeasure to cyberbullying. Students who created the page believe they are making a difference. "We wanted to increase a sense of pride and belonging at this school," relates Natasha Gangal, a sophomore and the school's rally commissioner. "We think we have done that." Biancka Dela Cruz, last year's school rally commissioner, finds more joy in posting a compliment than receiving one, Learning Reading that brought a big smile to my face. FRANK CASTRO even though she and Gangal have gotten online "kudos" for creating a forum where students can say nice things. "I love giving back to the school and knowing I made someone else's day," she says. Social studies teacher and MTA member Frank Castro was pleasantly surprised to receive "props" (approval) on the page for being a "super-cool" teacher and hosting a pizza party. "Reading that brought a big smile to my face," he says. "It was a really nice thing to do." SEP TEMBER 201 3 www.cta.org 49 9/3/13 2:26 PM