In an exciting initiative aimed at enhancing student engagement and improving overall behavior, Greenville Middle School has officially rolled out its Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) program this school year. The program, designed to create a positive and structured environment, focuses on promoting academic excellence, reducing discipline referrals, and rewarding students who demonstrate positive behavior and hard work.
PBIS is a research-based framework that emphasizes the importance of recognizing and reinforcing positive behaviors rather than just addressing negative ones. At Greenville Middle School the program is built around the principles of respect, responsibility, and readiness, with the goal of creating a culture where students feel motivated, supported, and accountable for their actions.
The PBIS system places a strong emphasis on academic performance as one of its key pillars. Teachers and administrators believe that recognizing students for their efforts and achievements in the classroom can significantly boost motivation and learning outcomes.
In addition to rewarding academic achievements, PBIS encourages students to make positive behavioral choices. Teachers and staff are asked to observe and praise students for demonstrating key behaviors, such as being respectful to peers, following classroom rules, and actively engaging in class activities.
The PBIS team at Greenville Middle School has chosen to offer incentives at the middle of each quarter and at the end of each quarter based on student grades and the absence of office referrals. The inclusion of choice activities is one of the most popular aspects of the PBIS program. These activities allow students to pick rewards that are personally meaningful to them, which helps foster a sense of autonomy and personal responsibility. The teachers partner with the PBIS team to offer choices that are in line with student interests. Our next PBIS incentive day is scheduled for December 4 and some of the activities focus on Christmas.
As the school year progresses, Greenville Middle School remains committed to building a positive, supportive learning environment where students feel encouraged to excel academically and socially. Through the PBIS program, the school is laying the foundation for a future of success, both inside and outside the classroom.
Written by Greenville Middle School Assistant Principal Georgia Lange