New Habits of Work Policy Implemented for 2025–2026 School Year

Nokomis staff say the policy will help students succeed after high school

reporting also contributed by Alex Clark

Nokomis Regional High introduced A new policy of habits of work for the new school year of 2025–2026. The habits of work (HOW) include attendance, the “Warrior Way,” and completion of work. In each category students needs to average a 2.5 or higher across all classes to meet the requirements.

Habits of work scores are now tied to extracurricular eligibility for all students. If a student’s average score is lower than a 2.5 they are put on a one week probation from all sports and after school activities and field trips.

Nokomis Assistant Principal Ryan Martin said, “Habits of work has always been kind of a thing. It’s just never been a thing that’s tied to any real teeth.” He said that the policies are intended to honor how important these habits are for students and why these help students succeed.

Daniel Leaver is the history department chair at Nokomis and therefore a member of the leadership team that developed the new HOW policy. “Our school is proficiency based, and a key part of that is the philosophy that habits of work — things like attendance, turning things in on time, revisions, things of that nature — should be separate and distinct from communicating and scoring students skills or content knowledge,” said Leaver. “In practical terms, I shouldn’t be taking off points if you turn something in two days late. That’s a habit of work. That should be communicated separately.”

Junior Frank McTighe said he understands why the new policy is in place but thinks the new rules are a bit too strict. “It doesn’t really affect me much at all because I’m on time for things and I follow the guidelines well already,” said McTigue. “But if you get a ‘1’ on anything, you can’t do anything. I don’t think that’s fair to some students that struggle with those sorts of things.”

Both Martin and Leaver said there will be opportunities to revisit and fine tune the specifics of the new policy.

At Nokomis there are three categories for the habits of work. One category is attendance. Students must not have 3 or more unexcused absences and tardies. When students have missed work from being absent they need to make up their missed work. If students are making it to class on time and have no missing work, absences or tardies they are scored a 3. If students have 2 absences or tardies and have a missing assignment they are scored a 2. If students have 3 or more missing assignments, absences or tardies they fail and are scored as a 1.

Leaver also pointed out that Nokomis is experiencing the same chronic attendance issues that many schools across the country have faced since the pandemic. “Rather than just passively accept that as our new reality, what can we do to help move the needle to ensure that students are getting the most rich, fulfilling and beneficial educational opportunity?” he said.

The second category is work completion. The guidelines for this category is that students must contribute in class, complete assignments on time, join in group work and use technology responsibly. For a student to score a 3 they must have all work completed on time, check in with teachers if arriving late or asking the teacher for help with work, and always revise their work. For a student to score a 2 they have a couple missing assignments, have not revised their work, and haven’t checked with their teacher after being absent or asking for help. When a student is scored a 1 that means all their work is missing, they haven’t checked in with their teacher, and they have missed class and not revised any of their work.

The last category is the warrior way. Students are scored on a scale from 3–1. For students to score a 3 that means they are following school rules, being honest in academics, using technology appropriately, and following the electronic device policy without any office referrals. For a student to score a 2 that means the student may have one office referral, a minor issue with academic honesty handled in class, or a pattern of small technology/device problems that doesn’t result in an office referral. When a student is scored a 1 that indicates repeated problems, such as multiple referrals for behavior, dishonesty, or inappropriate use of technology and devices.

Martin said the thought process behind the HOW policy is establishing transferable skills. “When students are leaving this building, what have we prepared them for?” he asked. “Are we preparing them to be active citizens that can engage in a global world? I think this will prepare students for better success when they leave our doors.”