In November, state educators will again celebrate Dayton schools. Kemp PreK-6, already mentioned receiving the Ohio Department of Education’s  Momentum Award (for the second consecutive year) and Westwood PreK-6  will receive the Ohio PBIS Bronze Recognition Awards for 2017. This honor from the Ohio PBIS Network represents Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports and its 2017 showcase that will feature each school and its success.

PBIS was developed to help administrators enhance the social, emotional and academic atmospheres needed to support students and the effectiveness of the schools they attend. Also through this method, systems have been created to build support for individual districts.

Each of the district’s  Positive School Climate lead teachers is trained to set positive expectations and reinforce positive behavior and strengthen social skills by focusing on character development.

“The entire school works hard to create a positive climate and culture. We are so proud of the hard work being done by students and staff to improve the culture of the building,” said Gary Armstrong,  Kemp PreK-6, PSC lead teacher.

Armstrong and Westwood PreK-6, PSC lead teacher Katie Young use incentives to express how positive behavior can reap a reward. Armstrong and his 8 member team motivate student behavior monthly with classroom parties,  bounce house fun, movies with popcorn and guest speakers. Young and her team offer “Eagle” bucks for good conduct. That’s how the young Westwood Eagles earn “dollars” to buy trinkets and healthy treats at the school’s Eagle store. If that behavioral method is followed, there will be bowling, skating or movies at the end of each grading quarter.

The awards will be received by Armstrong and Young at a luncheon in Mansfield, Ohio, Thursday, November 30th.