Talbot Schools Receive Positive Behavior Interventions Program Recognition

At a recent conference held at Wor-Wic Community College in Salisbury, awards were given to Maryland schools for achieving success with school-wide Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) systems during the 2016-2017 school year.Easton Elementary School, Easton Middle School, Easton High School, and Saint Michaels Elementary School were among those recognized for their PBIS system results.

School-wide PBIS is a system of support that involves proactive strategies for defining, teaching and supporting appropriate student behaviors to create positive learning environments. Through PBIS, a continuum of positive behavior support is implemented for all students in both classroom and non-classroom settings.  Teaching behavioral expectations and rewarding students for demonstrating them is a much more positive approach than just reacting to misbehavior with discipline.  The purpose of school-wide PBIS is to establish a climate in which appropriate behavior is the norm.  (www.pbis.org)

A School-Wide Evaluation Tool (SET)assessment is required and a certain score must be obtained in order to earn one of the PBIS Recognition Awards.  The SET reports were completed by outside PBIS evaluators from Wicomico County. For GOLD, the school PBIS team must achieve an overall SET score of 90% or above.  For SILVER, the school PBIS team must achieve an overall SET score of 85% or above.  For Bronze, the school PBIS team must achieve an overall SET score of 80% or above.  Easton Middle School was awarded GOLD, Easton High School and Easton Elementary School earned SILVER, and St. Michaels Elementary School was awarded BRONZE.

Dr. Kelly Griffith, Superintendent, attended the presentations.  “This is a tremendous achievement on the part of these four schools.  They have made a commitment to their PBIS interventions and strategies, and they have closely monitored their outcomes,” she said.  “PBIS initiatives help create a positive learning environment indicative of high student achievement and these schools should be very proud of their caring, nurturing atmospheres.We will see more of our schools recognized in this way in the future.”