Positive Behavior Interventions and Support Program
Imagine a school environment where positive behavior is rewarded and leads to a decrease in bullying in schools. Hortonville Area School District is making this a reality with its implementation of the PBIS, or Positive Behavior Interventions and Support, program.
PBIS is a way of encouraging and rewarding positive behaviors in the classroom and hallways, instead of reprimanding negative behaviors. Students learn what behavior is appropriate and expected, and teachers acknowledge the behavior by handing out paw prints when they see students acting in what they call the “Polar Bear Way.” The paw prints act as tokens for students to get prizes in their classrooms, as well as from the office in weekly and quarterly drawings.
For it being the first year that Greenville Middle School has implemented PBIS, there are already noticeable changes. Noise levels have decreased with student awareness of the program increasing, and it is also creating a safer environment for students because it lessens pushing and shoving, which in turn will lead to a decrease in bullying. GMS 6th grade teacher, Jill Danke, explained how well the students are responding to the program thus far:
“When they see someone get a paw print from a teacher, they start wondering what that person is doing that they aren’t doing. One day on my bus duty, I started handing out paw prints to kids that were standing behind the red line (the proper standing spot to ensure safety for students). That first day, the percent of kids standing behind the line went from 60 to 90%; by the second day almost 100% were standing behind it.”
The student feedback gives an even better idea of the effect PBIS is having:
• “[PBIS] has helped to stop bullying because [students] are learning more about being caring.”
—McKenna Tietz
• “I learn more as a student because when students follow the expectations, it is easier for me to learn more and concentrate.”—Jack Luther
• “PBIS has helped me to be a better role model for the new students that don’t know about PBIS…they are learning to be respectful.” –Sophie Vicchiollo
• “I have seen how students have become more nice and respectful since we started PBIS.”
—Aliyah Sherman
PBIS is a continuous effort that is only growing in the district. Greenville Elementary is in its third year of PBIS, Hortonville Elementary is in its second year, Greenville Middle is in its first year, Hortonville Middle will start in the second half of the 2012-13 school year, and Hortonville High is starting to look into the program. There is only more to come on this positive effort to increase student safety and make a better learning environment for everyone.
To get more information on PBIS, visit the PBIS Wisconsin website, or contact your child’s school office.
