South Elementary Celebrating Gold Status Designation from State for PBIS Work
South Elementary Staff
"Our entire staff—teachers, educational assistants, custodians, and more—is instrumental in supporting our students through Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS)," said Principal Jenny Ament. "Under the guidance of our school counselor Andrea Goins, school psychologist Heidi Escobar, former principal Jason Hussel, and the PBIS committee, this goal was set and has now come to fruition! Simply put, South is dedicated to using effective methods to create a positive learning environment."
Escobar said the award showcases the hard work and dedication required each day to ensure that students are ready to learn. She points out that staff, parents, and the community have come together to ensure that all students get the support they need to be successful at school. "We are so proud of the work that has been done over the last several years and look forward to continuing to grow and refine our supports," Escobar said.
Ament said family involvement is also key to the success of PBIS, and South is thankful to have parents who actively support this initiative.
"Whether contributing through the PBIS committee, assisting with the school-wide PBIS store, or helping to celebrate our reward incentives with exciting events (like an inflatable race!), their participation makes a difference," she said. "When staff, families, and the community work together, our students thrive, and this Gold distinction reflects the collective effort of everyone involved in this success."
Goins agreed, adding that commitment from all staff was key to achieving this recognition.
"Receiving gold for our PBIS practices at South shows we can all come together to reach a common goal. This five-year-plus long process would not have been accomplished if we didn't have the commitment from every single person on our staff," she said.
Goins cited these examples of staff involvement:
Cafeteria monitors awarding students for following our school expectations
Educational assistants providing re-set breaks for our students as part of their behavior plans
Special area teachers using time in their day to mentor students
Classroom teachers using their plan time to help with prep and plan our school-wide events
Community and parent volunteers who help run the school PBIS store
Staff working to reteach behaviors to students
The administration team advocating and allocating space, time, and resources to reach this goal.
South Elementary Staff 
"Our entire staff—teachers, educational assistants, custodians, and more—is instrumental in supporting our students through Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS)," said Principal Jenny Ament. "Under the guidance of our school counselor Andrea Goins, school psychologist Heidi Escobar, former principal Jason Hussel, and the PBIS committee, this goal was set and has now come to fruition! Simply put, South is dedicated to using effective methods to create a positive learning environment."