What is PBIS?

Beginning this year, the district is implementing Positive Behavior Interventions & Supports (PBIS) with all K-8 students and staff. PBIS is an approach to address student behaviors and includes proactive interventions and strategies for defining, teaching and supporting appropriate student behaviors. Each school has a system of acknowledgement to recognize students and motivate them to be their best in the classroom as well as on the playground, in the hallways, the cafeteria and on the bus.

"PBIS" is a research-based systems approach designed to enhance the capacity of schools to....
                 ● Effectively educate all students, including students
                    with challenging social behaviors
                 ● Adopt and sustain the use of effective instructional practices.

The four schools that are implementing PBIS are Kings Elementary(Royal Code), Park Avenue Elementary (Wise Owls), Sanfordville Elementary (PAWS) and the Middle School (ROAR). Each building has a PBIS team that meets regularly to review implementation and data as it relates to office, classroom and bus referrals. Since the program began in September, most can report that the number of referrals has decreased significantly since this time last year.

The PBIS approach is a tiered system approach. (pdf)
Tier 1 involves universal interventions in all settings for all students, and will likely be all that most students (80 - 90 percent) need. Tier 2 uses secondary interventions, and will probably be needed by 5 - 15 percent of students. Tier 2 utilizes small group interventions with some individualizing. Tier 3, tertiary interventions, may be needed for 1 - 5 percent of the student population and uses more intense, durable procedures.

A National Movement

The PBIS approach is a national movement in education, and New York State encourages districts to adopt an approach. Schools that do adopt an approach are paired with an external coach - Warwick's coach on PBIS is a behavior specialist from Dutchess County BOCES Regional Special Education Technical Assistance Support Center.

Who has been and will be trained in PBIS in our school district?

In addition to administrators, principals and teachers, the WVCSD has also trained bus drivers, cafeteria workers and playground monitors in the PBIS approach. They recognize good behavior with things like bracelets, feathers and crowns. Warwick is in the first year of implementation of PBIS, and beginning training for the second level.

What negative behaviors in our schools will PBIS combat?

Warwick schools may not have as many "negative incidents" as some school districts - but there is no denying that parents, bus drivers, teachers and students themselves have observed and experienced plenty of negative behaviors and attitudes in our schools. PBIS will work to combat the following behaviors that do exist in our schools:

                 ● Disrespect
                 ● Bullying
                 ● Negative Attitude
                 ● Misuse of Property
           

Anti-bullying message

One of the most important behaviors PBIS addresses is bullying. Bullying has come to the attention of the public via national media, tragic news stories and public campaigns. In this age of social media, bullying has become much worse than it was in days gone by. School staff and other adults should be able to recognize bullying behavior and know what to do when it is encountered in our schools. Click the play button below to view an anti-bullying video:

Finally, What Outcomes are Associated with Implementation of PBIS?

Schools that establish systems with the capacity to implement PBIS with integrity and
durability have teaching and learning environments that:

● Are less reactive, aversive, dangerous, and exclusionary, and
● Are more engaging, responsive, preventive, and productive
● Address classroom management and disciplinary issues (e.g.,
  attendance, tardiness, antisocial behavior),
● Improve supports for students whose behaviors require more specialized assistance
  (e.g., emotional and behavioral disorders, mental health), and
● And most importantly, maximize academic engagement and achievement for all students.