Positive Behavior Interventions and Support

The staff at Discovery & Explorer Elementary are focused on supporting and encouraging our students as they are beginning their school journey.  We utilize a Positive Behavior Intervention and Support (PBIS) framework to develop positive school habits.  It is important to note that in Williamston Community Schools, PBIS is a kindergarten through 8th grade initiative, but looks different at each building because of the unique needs of the students.

Under the PBIS model, there are multiple layers of supports that are provided for our students.  A "Tier 1" support is provided for ALL students in the building.  "Tier 2" is an additional layer for SOME students and "Tier 3" is another layer that a FEW students might access.  All layers of support are intended to TEACH and REINFORCE positive behaviors that will help students to be successful in school and life.  

The attached document gives some examples of PBIS activities that students and staff at Discovery and Explorer Elementary are currently implementing.  The activities at the top of the page are provided to ALL students.  As you read down the page, the number of students the activity impacts lessens (symbolized by the triangle shape in the background).  

Our Buzz Words - Kind, Safe, Cooperative & Respectful - lay the groundwork for all PBIS activities.  We teach, model and practice what being kind, safe, cooperative and respectful looks like in all areas of our school.  Buzz tickets are given to students in order to acknowledge and reinforce positive choices.  

Each building has a Responsible Thinking Classroom (RTC), where students may go to reflect on choices that were not kind, safe, cooperative or respectful.  RTC is NOT a punishment, but an opportunity for students to think about and discuss with an adult what they did, how that choice impacted others and what they could do differently next time.  Examples of the RTC reflections forms can be found on each school's web page. The RTC classroom is also where students go to turn in the name half of Buzz tickets (to be entered in the drawings) and/or pick up the incentives for demonstrating positive behaviors.  

For questions about specific PBIS activities, please contact Katrina Sturock, Young Fives - 2 Student Support Services Coordinator at sturock@gowcs.net or 517-655-2855 x4650.