Lake Road and Oak Grove Elementary schools were recently recognized for achieving the Award of Excellence through Missouri School-Wide Positive Behavior Support consistently for a decade plus.

A total of 217 schools in the state met the standards requisite to earn the award for implementing the evidence-based, multi-tiered system of behavioral supports with fidelity this year, according to a press release from the organization.

Poplar Bluff Schools is in further rarefied air, joining fewer than a quarter of the districts honored for completing the top tier of the system, previously considered gold-level achievement next to silver and bronze designations.

"All students come from a wide variety of backgrounds and living experiences, so we can't think one cookie-cutter way can address all behaviors," explained Dr. Rondi Vaughn, R-I assistant superintendent of curriculum. "It's about finding the best way to meet students—not one-size-fits all—and implementing changes to be supportive of all children."

The elementary schools were among the first in the district to partner with the Regional Professional Development Center on SW-PBS, about a decade after the framework was introduced to help educational systems maximize instructional time. The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education provided funding for the consultants to provide training, coaching and technical assistance through the RPDC in 2006.

The first tier of the protocol establishes universal, schoolwide strategies and positive expectations designed to support the entire student body in all settings. The second tier provides targeted, small-group interventions for students identified as at-risk for negative social, emotional or behavioral health outcomes. The final tier delivers intensive, highly individualized support, including behavior intervention plans, for students facing chronic challenges.

Lake Road has achieved an Award of Excellence for the 14th consecutive year, successfully implementing Tier 3 of the system for the first time in 2016/17, when the elementary school also earned the associated Dr. Mary Richter Award through the University of Missouri Center for SW-PBS. Due to recent staff turnover, the elementary school rebooted its program through the RPDC before the start of the school year, according to Megan Miller, Lake Road principal.

“PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) is a huge part of the Lake Road culture currently and in the past,” Miller said, adding that the initiative helps the staff keep its ‘why’ at the forefront of all decision-making. “…It is important that every member of our staff follows and enforces the same expectations across all areas of our school building for PBIS to work smoothly at Lake Road.”

Oak Grove has received the Award of Excellence consecutively since 2016/17, and fulfilled the most advanced tier for the past six years. SW-PBS is “integral to Oak Grove's collaborative culture,” according to Kristie Robinson, principal. The elementary school recognizes positive behavior monthly during building celebrations; offers weekly STAR student awards – safe, teamwork, attitude and respectful; and issues daily positive referrals.

“We have consistent expectations, verbiage, processes and ways to address behaviors and also recognize those who follow expectations,” Robinson explained, noting that the framework aims to focus on the positive while also holding students accountable. “Oak Grove’s all-means-all approach extends beyond academics into behavior and school-wide expectations. With consistency, reteaching and streamlined practices, students always know what is expected of them no matter where they are in the building.”

Middle School plans to collect data for SW-PBS recognition this school year. Assistant Principal James Hunt was invited to present on tiered supports and data tracking—how to make informed decisions and put appropriate supports in place to influence student behavior—in June during the Missouri PBS Summer Institute at Osage Beach.

“Because of the size of our building, our big focus this year is Tier 1 consistency and making sure those foundational structures are solid across the building,” Hunt shared. “Some of the things we’re working on include new visuals that I designed and had printed for our building, moving away from ‘Dojo points’ and implementing PBIS Rewards for data tracking, incentives and student SEL (social and emotional learning) check-ins, using CharacterStrong to deliver behavior lessons, and continuing to strengthen our expectations and reinforcement systems.”

The Kindergarten Center, Eugene Field and O’Neal Elementary have additionally recommitted to the process. Although each school has received recognition through the program in the past, there have since been changes in leadership at the facilities. While applying for the awards is optional, assistance remains available district-wide through the Multi-Tiered Systems of Support grant, according to Maria Allen, RPDC educational consultant in Cape Girardeau.

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Cutline: Lake Road staff were presented with the SW-PBS Award of Excellence banner for 10+ years of completion by consultant Maria Allen last month at the elementary school.