The Fayette County Education Foundation has awarded over $1,300 to schools that support a positive school climate by using the Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) framework.
PBIS is based on the philosophy of recognizing the positive contributions of students. Administrators, teachers, bus drivers, custodial staff, food service employees, and other support staff take the responsibility to teach positive behavior expectations to students. Students in turn know exactly what is expected of them, and can receive rewards for behaving in a positive manner.
Twelve schools currently implementing PBIS received a $114 grant to help with the funding of the program. The Foundation used donations made by business partners who joined the Business Partners in Education (PIE) program to fund the grants.
Most schools will use the funds to purchase reward incentives for students. The schools that received funding are North Fayette Elementary, Fayetteville Elementary, Inman Elementary, Bennett’s Mill Middle, Flat Rock Middle, Fayette County High, Sandy Creek High, Alternative School, Cleveland Elementary, Robert J. Burch Elementary, Huddleston Elementary, and Whitewater Middle.
Kathy Brown, PBIS coach at Bennett’s Mill Middle, says the funds her school received were used to purchase items for the Bronco Trading Post, a school store where students can trade Bronco Bucks (the school’s mascot is a bronco) they earn for items. Students earn Bronco Bucks for modeling successful behavioral traits that reflect the school’s banner statement, “E3 is how you see excellence in me! I am engaged, empowered, and ethical.”
“When the Bronco Trading Post is open during lunch, it creates a lot of positive energy for our school. We appreciate the generous donation that has helped enhance a very encouraging feature in our building,” said Brown.
In the above photo, students at Bennett’s Mill Middle display some of the items purchased for the Bronco Trading Post.
