Three Placentia-Yorba Linda Unified School District (PYLUSD) campuses have been distinguished by the California PBIS Coalition for excellence in implementing a robust Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) program. Rose Drive Elementary School has earned the Gold implementation award, while Mabel Paine Elementary School and Esperanza High School have both earned Silver.
The California PBIS Coalition oversees a statewide effort to implement a recognition system to acknowledge schools for implementing PBIS with fidelity to the national framework. According to their respective levels of implementation, schools are given the opportunity to apply to be recognized as Bronze, Silver, Gold, or Platinum. Impressively, for the 2018-2019 school year, only 755 schools were designated as Silver and only 305 received Gold throughout the state.
According to the California Department of Education, PBIS is an approach that focuses on the emotional and behavioral learning of students, which leads to an increase in engagement and a decrease in problematic behavior over time. It assists schools in adopting and organizing evidence-based behavioral interventions that improve social and emotional behavior outcomes for all students.
Rose Drive Elementary School takes special care in creating a positive, caring, and collaborative environment for all students through their PBIS program. They embrace “The Roadrunner Way” and the core values of safety, there and ready, acting responsibly, respect, and showing compassion – otherwise known as STARS. Rose Drive students of all ages who practice these core values earn STARS tickets to exchange for various rewards and experiences.
“We are ecstatic as our team and entire staff worked very hard to revamp our PBIS systems of support,” Principal Kathleen Escaleras-Nappi shared when asked about her school’s recognition. “Our culture of caring is making a big impact on student achievement and success.”
As a part of Mabel Paine Elementary School’s PBIS program, students are expected to be “Mindful Mustangs” by doing the right thing, in the right place, at the right time. By exhibiting the positive behaviors outlined in the school’s PBIS matrix, students earn Mustang Money to spend on incentives both in the classroom and around campus. Principal Melanie Carmona also presents a Behavior Expectations Assembly for each grade-level at the beginning of the school year.
“We are thrilled to be recognized for our collective efforts,” Principal Carmona said. “Mabel Paine staff members worked collaboratively with our families and students to develop our new PBIS system and in just one year students have shown such social-emotional and behavioral growth because of these efforts.”
Esperanza High School’s PBIS program is centered around the concept of “Aztec PRIDE,” which encourages students to be positive, responsible, innovative, determined, and engaged citizens. Students are reminded of this notion through branded cardinal and gold Aztec PRIDE signage on the school’s buildings and in every classroom, as well as on posters that define expected behaviors in all locations on campus. Through the school’s 5-Star Student electronic system, students earn cards for getting involved on campus and demonstrating Aztec PRIDE behavior. PRIDE cards, which may be traded for prizes or tickets to school events, are awarded campus-wide on a daily basis.
“Receiving this high honor from the California PBIS Coalition is a testament to Esperanza High School’s commitment to create a school culture that supports the positive development of all students on our campus,” noted Principal Gina Aguilar. “We strive to create belonging spaces by offering a wide range of opportunities for students to get connected to school and experience Aztec PRIDE.”
The distinguished schools will be recognized as a part of the 4th Annual California PBIS Conference in Sacramento on October 28-29, 2019. Click here to see the comprehensive list of 2018-2019 California PBIS Recognized Schools.
Keep up the positivity, PYLUSD!
Way to go PYLUSD!!!! -And so proud of you Esperanza HS!!!