What is PBIS and How Can You Help?

PBIS stands for Positive Behavior Intervention and Support.  Many schools in Wake County and across the nation have a PBIS program, and Reedy Creek Middle is now in its 6th year of PBIS.  It is based on the premise that punishment does not work to change behavior.  Instead, teachers and staff believe that all students can be taught to demonstrate appropriate behavior.  We teach, model, and sometimes re-teach new behaviors and skills.  We know that positive relationships between students and adults are key to student success. 

Students earn red Eagle Bucks for behaviors that exceed our SOAR expectations.  SOAR stands for Safety, Ownership, Achievement, and Respect.  These expectations are posted in every classroom and in strategic areas throughout the school.  Once a month students may use their Eagle Bucks to “buy” items or passes from the PBIS store, which comes around on rolling carts during Guided Study.  Examples of passes include free admission to dances and games, “wear a hat for a day”, “eat lunch with a friend”, “a popcorn party for a class”, and last month students could buy a pass to a pizza buffet sponsored by the PTA.  Items on the carts include school supplies, SpiritWear, coupons for Adventure Landing, and small toys (Bouncing eyeballs and nose pencil sharpeners have been really popular!) The PBIS store is a new way of rewarding students for exemplary behavior this year, and the feedback has been very positive.  Students have been trying very hard to earn Eagle Bucks!

The next PBIS carts will be rolling out on May 16 and May 17th between 1:00 and 2:00.  We already have several PTA volunteers to help with the carts, but we can always use more people!  We will also gladly accept donations for the carts.  If you find yourself at a Dollar Store, please consider buying some inexpensive items for the carts that you think a middle schooler would want.  (Just a hint:  It is better to buy 20 of one item than 1 each of 20 different items – we like to be able to post flyers advertising what’s going to be on the carts, and be able to stock the same items on each cart.)  Also, per WCPSS guidelines, we may not sell candy. 
Please contact Linda Liles at lsliles@wcpss.net or PTA president Robin Bunting if you would like to help – or just send in your donations!  Thanks so much!