PBIS Program Finds Success With GES Students
Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports, better known as PBIS, may not be a new program for students in the Granville Central School District, but teachers and students have enjoyed the benefits it’s brought to the schools since its implementation. Both Mary J. Tanner Elementary and Granville Elementary utilize the program in different ways, each with the same goal in mind: helping make the school community safer and stronger for everyone.
At Granville Elementary, the PBIS program fell under the leadership and guidance of Amanda Smakal, who has organized activities within the PBIS curriculum since 2015. Mrs. Smakal set her goals for the program as a means to improve social emotional competence in the school, while also encouraging academic success.
“It’s a way to create positive, predictable, equitable, and safe learning environments where everyone thrives,” Mrs. Smakal said. “We hope that students will learn to participate in PBIS and build a positive environment by following the three B’s within the school building. We also want them to carry those lessons out into the community and wherever their lives may take them.”
Mrs. Smakal has been guiding Granville Elementary’s PBIS program for each of the past eight years. Each school year starts off with an assembly and a kick-off party for students and teachers to participate in. It’s at that first assembly where students learn about how to follow and practice the school’s three B’s: be kind, be safe, and be responsible. Throughout the year, students take part in assemblies to enforce these principles, and to help build routines to learn how to practice them on a daily basis.
“After each trimester, students who have followed our school goals by not receiving a referral are rewarded with a referral-free party,” Mrs. Smakal said. “We have hosted many activities throughout the years to reward these students, such as popcorn and a movie, tie dying days, cupcake and cookie decorating, photo booths, ice cream sundaes and more. It’s all to help reinforce the lessons of PBIS with our students and to show them that good behavior has its sweet benefits.”
Students that did have a referral get extra time on PBIS assembly days to work with teachers and PBIS members in fun activities designed to remind them of the three B principles. Those tasks include physical activities like a bucket filler challenge or an activity tailored to classroom instruction such as being read a story about kindness.
“This is time spent re-teaching students in hopes that they will learn ahead of the next party what they need to do to see the benefits. We don’t want anyone viewing it as a punishment.”
The program has helped students become more familiar and understanding of the expectations the school has of them on a day-to-day basis. PBIS has created a common language that every teacher uses, so there isn’t confusion from classroom to classroom when it comes to behavioral standards.
It’s also helped encourage teachers to work collaboratively throughout the year. Teachers support the program each day through the awarding of Bee Bucks to reinforce positive behaviors. Those Bee Bucks can then be used by students to earn prizes or gifts from special events like the Holiday Store or end of year raffle.
“It takes a village to promote and support the PBIS program,” said Mrs Smakal. “I’m really proud of what we’ve been able to accomplish, and really proud of our students for how they have incorporated the program into their daily lives.”
