'Do the Right Thing,' Albany-style

Middle- and high-school students in the City School District of Albany who are positive role models will be recognized and rewarded for their efforts under a new program announced Monday.

The school district has partnered with the Albany Police Department and the City of Albany on “Do the Right Thing,” an initiative that acknowledges students for their accomplishments, positive behavior and good deeds. Worthy students are nominated by school staff, parents, police officers and community members. 

“In these challenging times, it is more important than ever to support young people who make smart choices and are role models in our community. Many, many students of our students ‘do the right thing’ every day, and we are grateful to our city and our police for creating this opportunity to recognize and reward them,” said school Superintendent Kaweeda G. Adams.

People can nominate students from the following schools:

• Albany High School
• Edmund J. O’Neal Middle School of Excellence
• North Albany Middle School
• Stephen and Harriet Myers Middle School
• William S. Hackett Middle School

Find out how to nominate a student here. Behaviors that might earn a student recognition include striving to do well in school; helping peers, family and neighbors; working to overcome obstacles with grace and compassion; shining academically, athletically or artistically; or being overall good citizens in school, at home and in our city.

Albany Police Office Christopher English, the school resource officer at Albany High, was the driving force behind bringing the program to the school district. English said he sees students doing plenty of good things and he wanted a way to acknowledge them. His research led him to Do the Right Thing, Inc., a national nonprofit dedicated to recognizing and rewarding school-age for their positive contributions..

Albany’s version Do the Right Thing was unveiled at news conference at William S. Hackett Middle School. The program will be funded through a Community Development Block Grant.

“It’s important that we continue to encourage our youth to make positive choices and also understand the value of doing well in school,” said Albany Police Chief Eric Hawkins. “The Do the Right Thing Program is a great and fun incentive that will not only promote exceptional behaviors, but will serve as a means to further building relationships between our police officers and youth. I want to commend Officer English for his vision and determination to bring this program to Albany.”     

Of those nominated, 10 students from each middle school and 20 from Albany High will be selected to receive a T-shirt, a certificate of acknowledgement and a small prize. Of the semi-finalists, one student from each middle school and three students from Albany High will named winners and all will receive a tablet.

Let the nominating begin!