Hillcrest Elementary’s "Golden Spoon" rewards aim to cut cafeteria disruptions, staff say
June 01, 2025 | Upper Darby SD, School Districts, Pennsylvania
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Hillcrest Elementary School principal Susan Campbell and assistant principal Elise Gonzalez presented the board with a new PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) initiative called the Golden Spoon, a daily reward program aimed at improving cafeteria behavior.
"Hillcrest has taken PBIS to the lunchroom this year," Principal Susan Campbell said as she opened the presentation.
How it works: Assistant Principal Elise Gonzalez described that cafeteria monitors evaluate each class on expected conduct — conversations at reasonable volumes, keeping the area clean, and helping classmates — and report results daily. "Any class that demonstrates our 3 b's — be respectful, be safe, and be responsible in the cafeteria — earns a golden spoon," Gonzalez said. Daily winners are announced on morning announcements, teachers track classroom progress, and monthly winners receive a large foam-core golden spoon to display in hallway.
Why it matters: Hillcrest administrators said the change was introduced after staff observed that disruptive cafeteria and recess behavior was reducing instructional time: teachers were spending the first 10–15 minutes of class helping students settle after lunch. Administrators said the Golden Spoon has produced "noticeable improvement" in cafeteria behavior, increased student engagement with expectations, and promoted peer accountability.
Program details and community response: The PBIS team developed the program over the summer and adapted ideas used in other district schools. The program recognizes ties to broader PBIS activities such as student-of-the-month assemblies, a student superhero figure ("PBIS man" referenced by staff), and "Grama" awards for specials teachers (gym, art, library and music). A short video produced by Jason Taylor was shown to the board.
Next steps: Administrators said they will continue tracking results in a school-wide spreadsheet and recognize monthly winners at assemblies. The program is classroom-inclusive; administrators noted ties to other district PBIS efforts.
"Hillcrest has taken PBIS to the lunchroom this year," Principal Susan Campbell said as she opened the presentation.
How it works: Assistant Principal Elise Gonzalez described that cafeteria monitors evaluate each class on expected conduct — conversations at reasonable volumes, keeping the area clean, and helping classmates — and report results daily. "Any class that demonstrates our 3 b's — be respectful, be safe, and be responsible in the cafeteria — earns a golden spoon," Gonzalez said. Daily winners are announced on morning announcements, teachers track classroom progress, and monthly winners receive a large foam-core golden spoon to display in hallway.
Why it matters: Hillcrest administrators said the change was introduced after staff observed that disruptive cafeteria and recess behavior was reducing instructional time: teachers were spending the first 10–15 minutes of class helping students settle after lunch. Administrators said the Golden Spoon has produced "noticeable improvement" in cafeteria behavior, increased student engagement with expectations, and promoted peer accountability.
Program details and community response: The PBIS team developed the program over the summer and adapted ideas used in other district schools. The program recognizes ties to broader PBIS activities such as student-of-the-month assemblies, a student superhero figure ("PBIS man" referenced by staff), and "Grama" awards for specials teachers (gym, art, library and music). A short video produced by Jason Taylor was shown to the board.
Next steps: Administrators said they will continue tracking results in a school-wide spreadsheet and recognize monthly winners at assemblies. The program is classroom-inclusive; administrators noted ties to other district PBIS efforts.
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