PBIS promotes positivity in the high school

Milton High School has implemented a new program called PBIS, which stands for Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports.

Special Education Facilitator Ms. Julie Bowman said she works alongside Co-Principal Mr. Michael Bergey and School Social Worker Ms. Catherine Temple to oversee the program.

“The intent of PBIS is to provide expectations/positive/safe environment areas,” she added. The students and faculty involved are working to spread positivity and make our school a safe and positive environment, said Ms. Bowman.

Ms. Bowman said they have been working on this program for a year and a half. They chose 16 students last spring based on data gathered from a survey that was sent out to all high school students, she said. They were chosen based on their leadership skills and positivity, Ms. Bowman said, and added that they plan to add more students to the club every school year.

The club will implement behavior-based awards and incentives for students who show positive behavior, said Ms. Bowman. Some incentives that have been discussed are gift cards, Milton apparel and passes to sporting events, she added. The students in the program will decide on the incentives, said Ms. Bowman.

According to Ms. Bowman, the club is currently working on making video content that relates to positive situations that occur around school, such as complimenting others or greeting peers. They are also reaching out to the community and fundraising to purchase incentives for students, she added.

“In PBIS, we get together and learn,” said Junior PBIS member Kelly Hause. She added that she has made new friends through the program. “I feel like the program impacts students by the community and education it provides,” she said.

Junior PBIS member Leah Walter said she has been a part of PBIS since it began. She said they meet and discuss how to improve the culture at Milton. “We are trying to make school a more enjoyable place to be,” said Leah.

Ms. Bowman said the PBIS team meets periodically during Pride time, and have met five or six times this year.

Many other schools use this program including Milton Area School District’s elementary and middle schools, said Ms. Bowman.