"She's cursing me. This isn't fair."

DeMello Elementary second grader Caleb DaSilva sunk his head to the table, eyes fixed on his bingo card as Assistant Principal Catherine Pavao continued to call numbers.

Two of DeMello's second grade classes had gathered in the cafeteria for 40 minutes of bingo on April 13, an event planned as recognition of good behavior.

"We want to encourage kids to continue doing the right thing," said Pavao.

Through the Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) program, DeMello staff recognize model behavior — as opposed to punishing bad behavior — four times each year. Other events have included volleyball games and dances, said staff.

The bingo winners won pencils and were allowed to pull numbers, which was a big motivator for many.

"I want to get a pencil," said DaSilva.

"It's fun because you get to win, and you get to spin, and you get to have pencils," agreed Callie Peters, 8. Peters noted that her friend Sydney Mello borrows her pencils often, so she's running low.

Other students, like Phoebe Baptiste, weren't as excited for the prize as they were for the game itself.

"I usually do [game night] at home with my family," said Baptiste, counting Monopoly and Card Match as favorites.

Mary Jenna Avila, 7, took the first round of bingo when Pavao called "O-7."

"I was nervous because I might not win," she said. But shouting "bingo" was "exciting and amazing," she said smiling.

"I only needed one," Asher Gelinas piped in. The sentiment echoed across the cafeteria.

To be considered for the PBIS celebrations, students need to consistently keep their hands to themselves, follow directions the first time they're given, use respectful language, wait for their turn to speak, and be prepared to learn.

DeMello's next PBIS celebration will be in June.