Positive Behavior Intervention Support

What is PBIS?
The purpose of this newsletter is to inform our families and community partners with information to help our students excel academically and socially by making good choices. PBIS stands for Positive Behavior Intervention and Support. At MJHS we are committed to organizing staff and students to create a learning environment that will encourage positive behavior and interactions, while discouraging problem behaviors. This approach is based on directly teaching students the behaviors we expect to see, reminding them to use those behaviors, acknowledging them when they do, correcting them when they do not, and celebrating their successes.

PBIS started at MJHS at the beginning of the 2008-2009 school year. The goal of PBIS is to create a positive school culture by reducing problem behavior and providing maximum academic time for students and staff. We ask for parents to support their children and the school in guiding students to make good choices.

CELEBRATIONS
Students will be awarded Bird Bucks when noticed doing the right thing. Staff will acknowledge the student by stating what correct choice has been made. Bird Bucks may be used to purchase items from the school store. Drawings for prizes will be done quarterly with winners from each grade level. There will be one winner for the entire school at the end of each semester.

School wide/Grade level wide PBIS assemblies will be held at the end of each quarter to do the drawings and celebrate the school's successes.

Students who have followed the Cardinal Code earning no behavior detentions, suspensions, Saturday schools, or unpaid fines will be eligible to attend school dances and rec nights.

INTERVENTIONS
Interventions are necessary when the Cardinal Code is not followed. Examples of minor behavior offenses that staff will document include, but not limited to, dress code, attitude, horseplay, gum, and unprepared for class. Parents will not be called after the first minor offense unless a detention is assigned. After the second minor offense parents will be notified; the third will be an automatic detention with parent notification, and the fourth a Saturday school in any one quarter. Minors start over every quarter.

More serious offenses are considered majors. These are dealt with immediately by the administration and will result in a Saturday school, or an in-school or out-of-school suspension. Examples of major offenses include, but not limited to, fighting, vandalism, cell phones, bullying, and discriminatory/inflammatory/inappropriate language. Parents will be contacted.

Parents are asked to support the Cardinal Code and any disciplinary actions taken at school.