PBIS By Mackenzie Schuessler
PBIS stands for Positive Behavior Interventions and Support and it aims to help promote positive behavior and support student achievement. Students here might know PBIS at Mascoutah PRIDE (Passion, Respect, Integrity, Determination, Education).
The biggest PBIS programs are the Freshman Mentoring Program (FMP) and Transition Coaches. FMP is a freshman advisory class where student coaches lead the class in discussions and activities and help the students learn how to be successful in high school. Transition Coaches help new students adjust to life at Mascoutah. They offer homework help on Tuesdays and Thursdays. They even have Friday Fun where they take place in activities and games like Human Pac-Man.
The PBIS system allows teachers and staff at Mascoutah High School to offer positive reinforcement, rewards and activities hoping to encourage positive behavior. One of these rewards is the Arrowhead. Staff award Arrowheads to students who show respect, kindness and positive attitudes. Students submit their Arrowheads to the main office with their name and their teacher’s name. If their name is drawn during the weekly raffle they win prizes such as a fast pass, ice cream, extra lunch passes, and reserved parking.
Students are also positively reinforced with Quarterly Rewards.The 1st Quarter reward is the tardy competition. Advisories compete against each other to be the class with the least amount of tardies. The winner gets a No Tardy Party. This competition significantly drops the number of tardies. At the end of the 2nd Quarter is the Mascoutah’s Got Talent. Students can audition to showcase their talents. This event is a big hit among students and faculty alike. In order to attend, you must have no discipline referrals or write-ups. The Teacher/Community Challenge was started in 2012. It is a drawing for students with no discipline. Rewards in the drawing include a TV, Kindle, jerseys, and gift certificates. Last but certainly not least, is the Carnival. This is a day where students can participate in games, activities, and movies. There is also food and students are allowed to use their cell phones during the Carnival. This is also for students without discipline referrals or write-ups.
PBIS doesn’t only help Mascoutah High School but it can also impact our community. We raised $500 dollars for the Hero Run this past year. The school also participates in canned food drives, clothing drives and the Christmas toy drive.
Mascoutah PRIDE gives students and faculty of Mascoutah High School an chance to recognize positive areas such as behavior, attitudes and personal character.