Mount Vernon Middle School is buzzing with a renewed commitment to Positive Behavior and Intervention Supports (PBIS). Principal Darin Prince is thrilled about the school's strengthened focus on creating a culture that fosters success for every student through shared behavioral standards.
The recent back-to-school assembly, graced by Mount Vernon Mayor Matt Starr, set the tone for discussions on the character traits valued in their students. The PBIS committee engaged students in choosing a unifying term for their upcoming positive-behavior campaign. Following a schoolwide vote, 'SWARM' emerged as the victorious buzzword, representing Supportive, Welcoming, Adaptive, Respectful, and Mindful behaviors. This acronym, alongside the school's Yellow Jacket mascot, will feature on T-shirts and signs across the campus.
SWARM actions, like a student reaching out to a new peer during lunch, will earn points that can be traded for items at the school store. The school plans to hold quarterly SWARM assemblies to acknowledge and commend students for their contributions to this initiative.
It's crucial to note that PBIS/SWARM isn't just an adult-led program; the students take ownership of it. It's inclusive and doesn't create a divide between 'good' and 'not-so-good' kids. April Thompson, the PBIS coordinator, is thrilled about the enthusiasm among the students and their embrace of SWARM.
Principal Prince is confident that PBIS/SWARM will greatly contribute to a successful academic year at Mount Vernon Middle School.
"Mount Vernon Middle School Embraces PBIS and SWARM Initiative"
Darin Prince, Principal of Mount Vernon Middle School, is proud to announce the school's renewed dedication to Positive Behavior and Intervention Supports (PBIS), which is being enthusiastically embraced by both students and staff. PBIS is a program designed to cultivate a positive school culture by emphasizing common behavioral expectations, fostering an environment where every student can thrive.
On September 8th, the school kicked off this initiative with a back-to-school assembly held in the fieldhouse. The event featured a special guest, Mount Vernon Mayor Matt Starr, who underscored the importance of good character and responsible decision-making. This assembly paved the way for a schoolwide conversation about the character traits the school community values.
To make PBIS more engaging and inclusive, the PBIS committee decided to involve students in choosing a buzzword that would serve as the focal point of their positive behavior campaign for 2023-2024. After several suggestions, the winning buzzword was "SWARM," an acronym representing Supportive, Welcoming, Adaptive, Respectful, and Mindful. SWARM, along with the school's Yellow Jacket mascot, will be prominently featured on T-shirts distributed to all students and displayed on signs throughout the school.
In this new system, teachers will reward students with points for displaying SWARM behaviors, such as reaching out to new students to make them feel welcome. These points can later be exchanged for items at the school store. At the end of each quarter, a special SWARM assembly will recognize students for their outstanding efforts.
It's crucial to understand that PBIS/SWARM is not solely an adult-driven program; it is an initiative in which students take ownership. This isn't an exclusive "good kids club" – everyone is encouraged to participate, recognizing that we all make mistakes.
April Thompson, the school's PBIS coordinator, expressed her excitement about the program's initial success, stating, "We are off to a fantastic start, and there is a tremendous amount of enthusiasm among students. The majority of them are fully embracing SWARM."
Principal Darin Prince believes that PBIS/SWARM will play a pivotal role in making the upcoming school year at Mount Vernon Middle School a resounding success.
