Watauga schools applauded for implementing positive behavior support for students

Three Watauga County schools were recognized by the N.C. department of Public Instruction on Nov. 20 at the Greensboro Koury Convention Center for their success in the implementation of Positive Behavior Support (PBS).

The following school personnel represented Watauga County at the N.C. Positive Behavior Support Awards Luncheon in Greensboro on Nov. 20. Pictured left to right are: Sandra Ruppert of Green Valley, Billie Hicklin, assistant superintendent, Susan Wilson and Erin Patterson of Parkway Elementary, Joan Ward of Watauga High School, Elizabeth Phillips, director of exceptional children, and Cindy Brown, PBS coordinator for Watauga County Schools. Green Valley, Parkway and Watauga High School were all recognized for their leadership and success in implementing best practices in behavior support for all students. Photo submitted

Seven hundred and fifty people from North Carolina schools attended the event.

Among those representing Watauga County at luncheon were Sandra Ruppert of Green Valley, Billie Hicklin, assistant superintendent, Susan Wilson and Erin Patterson of Parkway Elementary, Joan Ward of Watauga High School, Elizabeth Phillips, director of exceptional children, and Cindy Brown, PBS coordinator for Watauga County Schools.

PBS is a combination of strategies designed to teach and encourage respectful responsible behaviors, while using data to continuously support decision making.

Schoolwide, PBS is individualized to each school to meet the needs of all students. It is a general approach to preventing problem behavior that is closely linked to safe schools and character education.

Parkway Elementary was one of only 14 schools in North Carolina awarded a plaque for exemplar status in the PBS implementation process.

Both Green Valley and Watauga High schools were recognized as banner PBS schools.

Watauga High School was also recently chosen as one of eight high school PBS model sites in the state. They will receive a $5,000 grant to continue their PBS initiative and dropout prevention programs.

Positive Behavior Support was established in the state of North Carolina beginning in 2001.

Green Valley Elementary was one of the first model sites in the state representing the western region of North Carolina.

There are now more than 900 North Carolina schools which use the process to improve behavioral and academic programs for their students.

To learn more about Positive Behavior Support in North Carolina, go to www.ncpublicschools.org/positivebehavior or contact Cindy Brown with the Watauga County schools administration.