Many students at De Soto High School feel as if they are lacking incentives for doing well this school year.

In years past, students have been rewarded for good grades with various incentives. Although this year only senior parking has been rewarded, Meyer and his transitional committee, selected of a few seniors and teachers, are still contemplating on the other old policies.

“I think that having incentives such as Early Release or Wildcat Cards can help students work harder and have more to look forward to,” said senior Katie Gehrt, also a member of Meyer’s transitional committee.

Students should be relieved to hear that the Wildcat Cards that were rewarded to students earning a 4 or 5 on State Assessments will be recognized this year. The cards serve as punch cards where students can choose to apply up to 5 percent towards a grade, take Seminar off, not taking a final and have a day out of school. The cards may be rewarded again this year, however, due to pending changes with the No Child Left Behind Act, new rewards are going to have to be given.

Some students have saved their cards from year to year so that they can use the percentage points as needed along with the other rewards.

“I saved my Wildcat Card because I wanted to use the day out feature this year. I wasn’t really sure what it was last year and [have] been looking forward to it,” sophomore Garrett Stous said.

The designated day out for the 2012-13 school year is April 17, a band/choir day. Members of either band or choir will take their day out at another time that is yet to be decided.

Meyer believes students deserve incentives such as Wildcat Cards, but is exploring new ways to reward students for achievements in the upcoming year.

“I do see the merit in offering incentives to do well on assessments since grades are tied to them,” Meyer said. “I am most familiar with providing an exemption from taking the final exam as the big reward.”

As far as Early Release goes, Meyer is meeting with the transitional committee later this week to talk about their final decision.