Using PBIS Rewards to Build on the Success of PBIS Year After Year
When it comes to creating positive school culture, acknowledgement of positive actions, no matter how small, can make a difference. The ripples of these actions can help to lift the entire school community, creating a safe and inclusive learning environment.
Cook Middle School in Houston has been a PBIS school for more than ten years. As a large middle school in suburban Houston, Cook is home to more than 1400 students from all backgrounds and cultures. This diverse community celebrates its uniqueness through campus events, appreciation weeks, clubs, and organizations. They understand that sharing and accepting their differences helps to build strong and lasting relationships.
Rangers Today, Leaders Tomorrow
The mission of Cook Middle School is to help each and every student to achieve success. Because the school is named in honor of Charles B. Cook, who was a Texas Ranger and local school board member, the school mantra is Rangers today, leaders tomorrow. By providing students with opportunities to grow and staff to empower them, students are prepared to live successfully in an ever-changing society.
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Finding Success Through Digital PBIS Management
Cook Middle School began its journey with PBIS Rewards at the start of the 2021-22 school year. Transitioning from a paper points system to digital PBIS management was a challenge in the first year. Staff members were accustomed to a manual system and were reluctant to buy in to a digital format. As a result, the school awarded fewer than 32,000 points across the entire year. They also struggled to deliver student purchases quickly, with only 1,100 purchases made by students for the year.
For the 2022-23 school year, however, Cook Middle School focused on getting staff buy-in at the beginning of the year. They also developed new processes to improve efficiency in student purchases, order delivery, and inventory management. These actions helped to generate excitement among students, who brought enthusiasm and committed involvement into helping the school promote its PBIS initiative. The school’s Life Skills students packed and delivered orders twice a week as part of their vocational program. Additionally, two different student-led committees designed videos and lessons to promote positive behavior campus wide.
Small Acts, Big Gains
Within the first month of the 2022-23 school year, the school had surpassed total points awarded and student purchases as compared to the previous year. By the end of the school year, the
staff had awarded more than 270,000 points and students had purchased more than 15,000 items from the school store! Wow! More than 20 staff members added their own PBIS Rewards teacher
stores, as well, further strengthening the school’s commitment to recognizing positive behaviors.
All of this buy-in and positivity had a ripple effect across the entire school. The broad reach of the program contributed to both improved school culture and community and a 22% reduction in behaviors leading to office referrals.
A 22% reduction in behaviors leading to office referrals!
Continuing to Build Leadership
For the 2023-24 school year, Cook Middle School will continue to build on the success of the prior year. Over one third of staff have their own store this year, rewarding students on a more personal level. This school is also using the new house system in PBIS Rewards to monitor progress in cross-grade level competitions and promote a sense of community within the student body. One goal for this year is to raise family awareness of PBIS to increase the impact of the program. By partnering with PBIS Rewards and continuing to use positive reinforcement, Cook Middle School will continue to see lasting results and a better learning environment for students.
Embrace the Power of Positivity With PBIS Rewards!
When it comes to building positive school culture, every act counts. Students who make positive choices impact the school community, and they deserve recognition. Super-charge your school’s PBIS initiative with PBIS Rewards! Our PBIS management software can make managing PBIS easy, accurate, and exciting for your stakeholders. We would love to tell you more – let’s talk!