PBIS Comes to Seneca Valley

A positive behavior reinforcement program, known as PBIS, is new to this year at Seneca Valley High School. PBIS, which stands for Positive Behavioral Interventions and Support, has been implemented throughout six Montgomery County middle and elementary schools and is now being piloted for Seneca Valley's class of 2014.

The program works with staff and students to create a positive environment for teaching and learning. PBIS promotes the principles of respect, responsibility and integrity. Currently, four elementary schools and two middle schools in the Seneca Valley cluster have implemented PBIS into their schools. 

According to Seneca Valley High School president Marc Cohen:

"PBIS is really just this umbrella for creating an environment in which folks feel valued, supported, challenged and, that when a problem does occur, there's no question about the fact that a problem has occurred and that there are some repercussions that are going to follow"

To create incentives for positive behavior, the school has developed a rewards program for both staff and students. Rewards include admission to sporting events, Starbucks cards, an iPod nano, flash drives, notebooks and an iTunes gift card. 

Cohen said the program includes regular student and staff evaluation for evaluation to find trends in behavior and

In addition, Cohen aims at using the program to improve relationships between teachers and students.

"The end of the year, teachers sometimes get frustrated with kids and in some cases they say, 'I've had enough,' well through PBIS we address that proactively. We do what we can to keep from getting to that point," Cohen said.

Angela Lefevre has a child in Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Middle School. She said she is happy about the effect PBIS has on her children. 

"Kids that behaved very well are like invisible children, it's the problem kids get the extra attention. PBIS doesn't just reward kids that misbehave and are now behaving, it rewards everybody," she said.

Lefevre said the program helps open the door of communication between students, teachers and staff.

"It allows teachers to talk openly about issues and how to deal with them," Lefevre said. 

What schools are participating in the Seneca Valley Cluster?

Elementary Schools:

• Dr. Sally K. Ride
• Lake Seneca
• S. Christa McAuliffe
• Waters Landing

Middle Schools

• Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
• Roberto Clemente