We have a good cross section of staff on our team (one member from 6th grade science, one from 7th grade social studies, one from 8th grade language arts, one from intensive reading/ESE, one a coach that teaches math, one dean, one assistant principal, one behavior specialist and one coach). We have monthly scheduled meetings, with agendas and behavior data. Substitutes are provided so the teachers on the team are able to meet for 2 hours during class time. Team members come to the table prepared and actively participate in the shared decision making. PBS is a priority at MMS so the involved persons are not called away to handle phone calls or unexpected situations. The school duties of the administrator on our team are covered by another administrator while she is in the PBS meeting, serving as team leader/agenda maker/recorder of minutes. We share a common goal that has been clearly delineated, and work cooperatively to achieve that end, continuously observing, listening, evaluating and tweaking our action plan as the data indicates is warranted.

Our behavior specialist brings relevant data from both SWIS and SASI to the table for review and discussion. Team members review it seriously, offering valid insights and interpretations. One benefit this year was that the principal, Dr. Chris Dollinger, assigned SWIS inputting to a data entry person who was specifically trained by Michelle White. Accuracy of data and regular data entry is a priority at MMS. We have current SWIS and SASI data that can is readily accessible for viewing and charting.

The PBS meeting notes are put on the school’s information board after each monthly meeting. At least once or twice a week there are PA announcements related to PBS for staff and students. These announcements are often put on the info board as well, at least weekly. Each faculty meeting has time devoted to PBS. One faculty meeting activity that has been an outgrowth of PBS is that at each regularly scheduled meeting a different faculty member is recognized, featured and honored with applause for specific “effective teaching” reasons. The SAC committee is knowledgeable of and supportive of PBS activities with money and public relations. The big event for students this year has been the weekly drawings that are televised on Wednesdays during homeroom. Students sit on the edge of their seats to see who from their team got on TV and what prize is in the envelope they pick. It has been very motivating and entertaining. This event has boosted team spirit, as well as overall school spirit. Everyone on campus knows what PBS is and what it means. MMS PBS flyers were created and distributed to parents at the annual Education Fair, as well as to new parents and those that just like to pick up handouts in the registrar’s office.

Our team’s strengths include a willingness to cooperate and compromise. Our members have strong opinions and different perspectives. We are not of one mind. We see this as a good thing and discuss differences with open minds and active listening. We are all proud to be on this team and confident that we will keep coming up with innovative ideas that fit the wants and needs of our school community. We already have new ideas and plans for next year, to enhance what we have done this year. We have kept PBS concepts in front of staff and students on a weekly basis. We never let it falter or get boring or stagnate.

We have excelled in rewarding students and staff on a very regular basis. Teachers constantly talk about the expectations and how they manifest themselves in different activities and different areas of the campus. They look for students exemplifying the expectations, especially those showing growth and/or improvement and give the students PBS tickets. These tickets go into the weekly drawing. By showing the drawings on T.V., PBS expectations are again promoted publicly and students with tickets in the drawing know they have a chance to be on T.V. and win something. They are involved. We have also been committed to looking at our data at least monthly and using this data for decision-making. MMS PBS flyers were created and distributed to parents at the annual Education Fair, as well as to new parents and those that just like to pick up handouts in the registrar’s office.