Do you know the presentations we see every week in advisory? You don’t? Well you need to start paying attention because each one benefits you, the faculty, and the school itself. Earlier this year, we watched videos about PBIS, and if you don’t know what it stands for, you’re about to find out. Positive Behavior Interventions and Support (PBIS) is a reward system for students who show success and positive behavior within the school. Do you remember elementary school, where you got “positives,” gold stars, or other rewards for being a great person? PBIS looks to do the exact same thing but at a high school level. Instead of gold stars or slips, you get rewarded with snacks at the main office, tickets to school events, and coupons to the Spartan Shack, just for being great! PBIS creates a partnership with the students, so if you have any interest in being on the PBIS committee, please see Ms. Ekert for more details.

One thing you’ll see happen more often is the handing out of SR2 cards, which students can redeem for prizes. SR2 stands for: Safety, Respect and Responsibility. Students can receive these for performing generous, thoughtful actions towards others, such as helping someone with homework, picking up dropped books or papers, cleaning up a mess that wasn’t theirs, or engaging in other acts of kindness. The PBIS committee is working with teachers and faculty to ensure that all students are recognized for their good behaviors. If you’re noticing good behaviors done by your peers, then you can recommend them for SR2 cards as well. The cards are also going to be used in drawings for gift cards to your favorite places in the city!

Another resource program for students is RTI (Response to Intervention). The RTI team responds to any academic, behavioral, and emotional needs for any student. The main goal for the RTI team is to help get students back on track. RTI seeks to improve upperclassmen study habits by adding a structured study hall to their schedule or providing counseling for any secondary issues that may be a distraction to their education. This way, the students are ready for graduation. RTI hopes that while Spartans are learning to engage in the classroom, they also develop a greater sense of school pride.  If you have any further questions about PBIS or RTI, or if you have an interest in joining the student committee, please talk to Ms. Ekert or pay attention to the next Spartan Scene.