Xtra Credit and Xtra Xtra Credit Recognize District Employees

Woodview Elementary is raising a paw – and the bar on employee recognitions - with their weekly Paws of Excellence Award.
 
The award is one of the many unique incentives championed by campus and division leaders and is supported by the school district’s Xtra Credit Program, and it’s new Xtra Xtra Credit perk.
 
The Xtra Credit Program was designed to provide employees with a little extra credit for their hard work on behalf of Every Child in SBISD.
 
Launched in 2015 as a response to the district’s desire to ensure all employees feel recognized and honored for their contributions and work, the Xtra Credit Program offers employees perks from local businesses in a range of services – everything from fitness and health to restaurants and real estate services.
 
SBISD employees enjoy discounts, special offerings and incentives for y simply showing their employee badge when visiting participating businesses.
 
Xtra Xtra Credit is an added benefit of the district’s Xtra Credit Program, allowing for distribution of business donations raised through the Xtra Credit Program to fund worthwhile employee support initiatives.
 
“District leaders apply for Xtra Xtra Credit funds to recognize individuals or teams of employees for their positive attitudes and extraordinary efforts,” said Becky Wuerth, a member of the SBISD Culture Team.
 
“These types of recognitions are not possible with general district budgets, so the Xtra Xtra Credit incentives help employees feel appreciated and honored,” she said. “By extension, positive cultures are reinforced in our schools and departments.”
 
Funds from Xtra Credit donations are managed by the Spring Branch Education Foundation and approved for distribution by the SBISD Culture Team.
 
The Culture Team, one of the original five SBISD Cross-Functional Teams (CFTs) formed in 2013, has continued work in its role to improve and dynamically support the district’s organizational culture.
 
The positive organizational impact of Xtra Credit and Xtra Xtra Credit extends beyond campuses. The Special Education Department leveraged the program reach to add something special to an appreciation and welcome event for new staffers.
 
“We utilized funds from Xtra Xtra Credit to purchase gift items and ice cream for the team,” said Shennel Malone, administrative assistant to the SBISD Director of Special Education. “We have several new employees to the department and thought this would be a great way to help them familiarize themselves to their new work environment.”
 
As part of the Paws of Excellence Award, Woodview’s staff pen personalized notes of thanks on specially shaped paws. These notes praise and showcase the above and beyond work of colleagues.
 
Each personalized note is placed in a weekly drawing where one winning ‘paw’ receives a gift card. Gift cards are funded by the SBISD Xtra Xtra Credit perk. Drawing winners are announced and lauded on social media by the campus principal Becky Hagan.
 
Every member of the staff is a winner, receiving notes of praise in their campus mailboxes along with the knowledge that they are recognized and appreciated by their peers.
 
“The Paws of Excellence Awards are a great reminder to each of us that we are all Woodview Beagles,” saideducator Isabel Arras-Osborne. “We take pride in using ur #CollectiveGreatness to highlight and thank one another on a regular basis.”
 
Principal Hagan also showcases her Paws of Excellence winners in the What's Happening Woodview newsletter. “It has been a great way to get staff members to recognize one another for going the extra mile,” said Hagan.
 
This shared appreciation of one another is at the heart of the idea behind the creation of both the Xtra Credit Program and Xtra Xtra Credit programs.
 
“These small yet significant gestures really make a difference in our school culture and this is just one of the many reasons why I am proud to be a Beagle,” said Arras-Osborne.
 
Visit the Xtra Credit website to see a listing of current businesses who participate in the program. Thank you to our participating partners for their support of our employees.
 
For information about other Xtra Xtra Credit initiatives taking place in SBISD, or to learn more about the participation, click here.
 
Does your campus have a recognition program or special incentive to honor the great work of teachers and staff? We want to hear about it. Share it with us on social media @SBISD on Twitter #SBProud.