At least one reason is because I can see that the point system that I am using is making more sense to more students. I know that this has been a trying time for them as well, so it is nice to see them relax a bit as they have a better understanding of what they can do. This has also allowed me to breathe a little easier as I have better figured out how to show the students their progress on PowerSchool.
It has also helped that we just started the Crucible in my junior English classes--which have had the most complaints--and some of the students who have complained about our other readings have been seriously getting into it. This is what I love the most about teaching: sharing things that I love and getting into interesting discussions based on them. I hope that this is a sign of things to come.