For Immediate Release: March 6, 2014 Contact: Stephanie Austin, PBIS Coordinator for RCS saustin@rock.k12.nc.us RCS Schools Recognized for Positive Behavior Intervention and Support Rockingham County, NC - Eleven RCS Schools Recognized by the NC Department of Education Positive Behavior Support (PBIS) Recognition Ceremony on Monday, February 26, 2014 in Raleigh, NC. Draper Elementary, Lincoln Elementary, Dillard Elementary, Huntsville Elementary, and South End Elementary Schools earned Exemplar Banner Status for outstanding progress and implementation of PBIS with fidelity. Schools reaching the Exemplar Status are considered to be top implementers of PBIS and earned at least 95% on teaching behavioral expectations to their students and staff, and 95% of higher on overall on the Schoolwide Evaluation Tool (SET). In addition, they are implementing at a Level 4 on their Implementation Inventory. In addition, they have attended all modules of PBIS training and also implement with high success rates of achievement and implementation. They have exceeded requirements of Model and Green Ribbon Banner Status. These five schools also were invited to an exclusive poster session in which they displayed their schools success. The Exemplar status is the highest honor awarded to schools for PBIS Recognition and these five schools are the first schools in Rockingham County to earn this level of recognition. Reidsville High School, Western Rockingham Middle School, Central Elementary, and the SCORE Center earned Model Banner status for outstanding progress and implementation of PBIS with fidelity. Model Banner schools have completed all of the requirements for Green Ribbon Schools in addition to Model Banner requirements. These schools have completed Module 2 and/or Module 3 training and have implemented universal and targeted behavioral interventions for students. They have also achieved a Level 2 or higher on the Implementation Inventory for teaching behavioral expectations and 90% total SET score for teaching behavioral expectations and overall implementation. Monrteon Elementary and Reidsville Middle School earned Green Ribbon Banner Status for outstanding progress and implementation of PBIS with fidelity. Green Ribbon schools have completed Module 1 training and have implemented universal implementation and have achieved a Level 1 or higher on the Implementation Inventory. They have received an 80% total SET score for teaching behavioral expectations and overall implementation. Dr. Shotwell, Superintendent; Dr. Jean Steverson; Assistant Superintendent; Dr. Cindy Corcoran, Executive Director of Exceptional Children s Services, Charles Perkins, Director of School Administration; and Stephanie Austin, PBIS Coordinator/Lead School Psychologist were all in attendance in support of the schools. Mrs. Austin, RCS PBIS Coordinator/Lead School Psychologist, stated, I am extremely proud of Rockingham County Schools implementation of PBIS. We have a phenomenal group of leaders in our district that make implementation of PBIS possible. This system of supports is clearly impacting our students in RCS in a positive manner. Increased academic achievement and positive school climate is observed when this system of support of support is implemented with fidelity.
Page 2 Mr. Bill Hussey, NCDPI Exceptional Children s Director and Joe Simmons, NCDPI Behavioral Support Section Chief, began the celebration by commending all of the schools for their hard work and dedication to PBIS. Mr. Hussey commended PBIS schools for their implementation of this research and evidence based system of supports. The PBIS initiative requires support at all levels of administration: Superintendents, Central Office, and School administrators to be successful. The North Carolina Positive Behavior Intervention and Support (PBIS) initiative is part of the North Carolina State Improvement Program funded through IDEA. PBIS is a 3-5 year process and framework that impacts the learning environment in the schools in order to support growth in academic achievement and a reduction in behavioral problems. Schools implementing PBIS are working to integrate their Safe Schools Plans, Character Education efforts and strategies, and discipline efforts in order to make schools caring and safe communities for learning. Schoolwide Positive Behavior Support is a systematic approach that establishes and reinforces clear behavioral expectations for students and staff. The entire school staff adopts a common approach to discipline that is proactive, instructional, and outcome-based. Data is collected regularly to help teams make decisions about effective implementation. Data is also reported to the state annually to monitor progress in each county and individual schools. The goal is to help educate all students, even those with challenging behaviors. PBIS also incorporates an instructional approach that focuses on systematically teaching social behavior using effective instructional methodology. Systematically teaching and implementing behavioral interventions for the most difficult students is also a key component. This school year continues to be successful as RCS has several more schools who are PBIS schools and are working toward implementation of PBIS with high fidelity and these schools include: Rockingham County Early College, Bethany Elementary. Williamsburg Elementary, and Moss Street Elementary were recently trained in the initial phase of PBIS and are beginning their implementation during this school year as well. Congratulations to RCS' 2012-2013 Exemplar, Model, and Green Banner Schools! For more information regarding Positive Behavior Intervention & Support go to www.ncpublicschools.org/positivebehavior/. ### *Please see pictures below of schools recognized.
Page 3 RCS Pictures: Dillard Elementary Exemplar Banner Pictured: (L to R) Melanie Triche, School Counselor; Dr. Jean Steverson, Assistant Superintendent of Instructional Support Services; Tina Chestnut, Principal Huntsville Elementary- Exemplar Banner Pictured: (L to R) Polly Yeago, Teacher, Amanda Yates, Teacher; Dr. Jean Steverson, Assistant Superintendent of Instructional Support Services; Jennifer Hardin, Assistant Principal
Page 4 South End Elementary- Exemplar Banner Pictured: (L to R) Scottie Penn, Instructional Coach; Lisa Moore, School Counselor; Dr. Jean Steverson, Assistant Superintendent of Instructional Support Services; Angela Martin, Principal Lincoln Elementary- Exemplar Banner Pictured: (L to R) Kelly Hancock, Interventionist; Linda Bass, Principal; Dr. Jean Steverson, Assistant Superintendent of Instructional Support Services; Amanda Vernon, School Counselor
Page 5 Draper Elementary- Exemplar Banner Pictured: (L to R) Mironda Williams, School Counselor, Russell Vernon, Principal; Dr. Jean Steverson, Assistant Superintendent of Instructional Support Services; Mindy Harmon, Interventionist Reidsville High School- Model Banner Pictured: (L to R) M. Elliott Miller, Principal; Curtis Bigelow, First Sergeant ROTC; Dr. Jean Steverson, Assistant Superintendent of Instructional Support Services; Norman Buddy Walker, Drop Out Prevention Specialist
Page 6 SCORE/Booker T. Washington Learning Center- Model Banner Pictured: (L to R) Meghan Behe, Teacher; Holly Williamson, Behavior Support Lead, Curtis Gore, Principal; Dr. Jean Steverson, Assistant Superintendent of Instructional Support Services; Elisa Pollard, Teacher Central Elementary- Model Banner Pictured: (L to R) Rachel Gilliam, Teacher, Barbara Brown, Principal; Dr. Jean Steverson, Assistant Superintendent of Instructional Support Services; Barbara Brown, Principal; Amy Fargis, Teacher
Page 7 Western Rockingham Middle School- Model Ribbon Pictured (L to R): Kim Green, School Counselor; Duane Hensley, Principal; Dr. Jean Steverson, Assistant Superintendent of Instructional Support Services Monroeton Elementary School- Green Ribbon Pictured (L to R): Jenny Bates, School Counselor; Dr. Jean Steverson, Assistant Superintendent of Instructional Support Services; Stephanie Austin, RCS PBIS Coordinator/Lead School Psychologist
Page 8 Reidsville Middle School- Green Banner Pictured (L to R): Tara Beal, Teacher; Dr. Jean Steverson, Assistant Superintendent of Instructional Support Services; Mel Martin, Assistant Principal