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Monthly Newsletter: A special on PBIS

What is PBIS?

Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) is an evidence-based, tiered framework. It helps support many aspects of a student’s well-being, including academic, social, emotional, and mental health. PBIS improves school climate when implemented with fidelity. PBIS emphasizes five main elements, which are inter-related. These include systems, data, practices, outcomes, and equity (Center on PBIS 2025).

Why do we use PBIS in our school?

PBIS is used to provide appropriate support to all students. The goal is to prevent instead of react. By maintaining a positive atmosphere in the classroom and taking preventative measures, we can stop unwanted behaviors from taking place or escalating. This creates a safe place for students to grow and learn. Some examples of potential outcomes from implementing PBIS include:

  • Academic improvement

  • Decreased substance abuse reports

  • Improved overall school climate

  • Less cases of bullying

  • Reduced number of office referrals

  • Improved feeling of safety

How can parents support PBIS at home?

By creating a home environment that mirrors PBIS principles, parents can help their kids build consistent, positive behavior habits that benefit them at school and beyond. Below are a few tips for supporting PBIS at home:

  1. Use the same terminology at home that is used at school: “Be Respectful, Be Responsible, Be Safe.”

  2. Establish clear expectations at home and post them somewhere easy to view.

  3. Reward good behavior and use positive reinforcement to prevent unwanted behaviors.

  4. Be consistent by following through with rewards and consequences.

  5. Practice emotional regulation and stress relieving techniques with your teen, such as breathing techniques when they are upset or stressed.

PBIS Terms and Meanings

PBIS - positive behavioral interventions and supports

Acknowledgment - recognition of desired behavior

Expectations - positively stated/listed rules and wanted behaviors

Interventions - targeted methods used to help students succeed

Reinforcements - strategies used to encourage positive behaviors

Tiered Framework - an approach that has three level (tiers 1, 2 and 3)

Tier 1 - systems and practices available to all students

Tier 2 - additional practices implemented for a small group of students who need extra systems in place

Tier 3 - individualized interventions provided in addition to tier 1 and tier 2 practices

Evidence-Based Practices - the use of strategies with proven effectiveness

Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) - supporting the development of social and emotional skills

Celebration Corner - A Special Shoutout to:

  • Ms. Davis - Parent

    For her dedication to PBIS. She actively participates in PBIS workshops and implements PBIS into her kids home routine. Her advice to other parents is to “teach, remind, and reward expected behaviors with positive feedback.”

  • Mrs. Grey's Film Class - Students

    For their help and support in creating our school’s PBIS education video. This video will be shown at the start of each semester to all students. It is a reminder of expectations presented by students in a fun and creative way. A special thank you to the following students: Emily Talk, Amelia Wander, Jason Row, Ben Travis, Jakob Peach, Sandra Pullock, Jennifer Bestow, Rocky Demetrius and Vickie Pilot.

  • Mr. Johnson - Teacher

    For his dedication to implementing PBIS in the classroom. Mr. Johnson’s point system and Tiger Bucks have been a huge success with students! They earn points and bucks through positive behaviors and can spend them at the Tiger Store for rewards such as homework passes, pizza parties, and other fun choices.