submitted by Monica Shupe
On Friday, September 30, at the Berlin Middle-High School students had the opportunity to learn more about Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports or PBIS. PBIS is a team based approach for teaching students the appropriate school behaviors.
It is based on a proactive model which teaches expectations and reinforces and recognizes students who are able to model these behaviors. Systems are put in place to support students, rather than punish them, especially those who might have a difficult time or may present more challenging behaviors. This program was sponsored though a grant awarded to our Special Education Department.
Students spent the day engaged in learning about appropriate behavior in the cafeteria, the classroom, the hallways and all other areas of the school. Some of the stations they attended included teamwork activities, music workshops, opportunities for community service, anti-bully training, art workshops, positive lunchroom behavior, diversity training and safety consciousness. Students were also given the opportunity for input by filling out a survey to inform PBIS organizers what concerns they might have.
The day was capped off by a BMX presentation from Rise Above BMX. The BMX event was sponsored through a grant by TRACs (Together Reducing Alcohol and Drug Use in our Communities). Many prizes were awarded during the presentation for positive behavior and attitudes.
