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GCPS Principal Ashlie Miller, (left) GCHS Assistant Principal Dr. James Meneguzzo, (center left) and CMS Principal Tanisha Wright (center right) receive their schools’ PBIS recognitions from the state at Thursday night’s BOE meeting from Assistant Superintendent Dr. Rotonya Rhodes (right) along with the BOE members. (CONTRIBUTED)
The Greene County School System has been recognized by the Georgia Department of Education for its implementation of the state-wide behavior initiative Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS).
Greene County High School and Anita White Carson Middle School are recognized as Operational PBIS Schools, which indicates schools implementing PBIS with a high degree of fidelity, and Greene County Primary School is recognized as an Emerging PBIS School, which indicates schools that have developed most of the critical elements of PBIS.
Leaders from each school were presented with recognition certificates from GaDOE at the Greene County Board of Education’s April meeting.
The PBIS program addresses the needs of students by creating a positive school climate that improves conditions for learning and promotes engagement, connectedness, self-regulation, and social competency. PBIS schools focus on proactive ways to define, teach, and sustain appropriate student behaviors in all school settings. School districts that implement PBIS with fidelity consistently report decreases in discipline events.
“In contrast to the traditional approach to discipline of only punishing inappropriate behavior, PBIS shifts the focus to appropriate behaviors,” said Dr. Rotonya Rhodes, Assistant Superintendent. “Educators actively teach students what constitutes appropriate behavior in all aspects of school, from the bus to the classroom to the cafeteria, and reinforce these behaviors schoolwide by acknowledging appropriate behavior.”
PBIS provides a continuum of interventions and supports based on the needs of students.
PBIS is a process unique to each school, not a program with pre-specified criteria. Teachers and staff at each school determine the definitions of appropriate behavior. Involving staff in all steps of the process helps to ensure the success of PBIS.
Additionally, the PBIS process continually adapts to meet the schools’ changing needs.
“The success of PBIS depends on the involvement and support of all school staff—from teachers to custodial staff, and administration to lunchroom personnel,” Dr. Rhodes stated. “High expectations from the whole school community is the key to making positive, lasting changes for school culture and climate.”