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River Valley PBIS Leaders Share How the Program Builds a Strong School Community

Posted Date: 03/20/26 (08:43 AM)
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Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) is a three-tiered, research-based framework used in schools to improve student behavior and academic outcomes by focusing more on positive behaviors than negative behaviors. The following update was shared by the PBIS Leaders at River Valley School for a closer look at how the program works at RV. 
A young girl in a pink sweatshirt smiles and points to a sticker that reads 'HONESTY'.
Our PBIS team implemented sub-committees to plan for different areas of PBIS including general expectations, student engagement, staff/family engagement, and meaningful consequences. This has really helped us ensure that all areas are discussed and we are able to make regular updates and develop this system based on student needs. 

Five colorful cards display "Student of the Week" virtues: Respect, Perseverance, Responsibility, Cooperation, and Gratitude.



Students of the week are now chosen based on our SEL character trait of the month. Each month, teachers are on the lookout for students who are working extra hard to show that monthly trait. This makes receiving that award more meaningful and also helps parents understand why their child was chosen and recognized. Teachers reward their students with a certificate from the SEL curriculum, and then Mrs. Weeks & Mr. B call the students down on Friday to get a special Student of the Week sticker.
Students can also earn bulldog bucks throughout the day from any staff member who notices them following the RV Way. They can save their bucks for class rewards (per teacher discretion) and use them at the PBIS store (once/trimester). Classes also earn "school bucks" towards a schoolwide reward. When the class earns the goal amount, they get to hang a piece of the "bulldog puzzle" in the main hallway. It's great to see the students excited about working toward these goals together!
bulldog puzzle in the hallwayTo help families stay connected, there is a section of the weekly school newsletter that provides PBIS updates, including the trait of the month, questions to spark conversation at home around the trait, and the school-wide goal & reward for earning bulldog bucks. 

Additionally, RV has added a "Staff Bulldog Bucks" program. Each staff member has bulldog bucks with their picture on it, which are kept in a pocket chart in the lounge. Staff members can fill out a staff buck for anyone and hang it on the board. At each monthly staff meeting, the bucks are pulled for various rewards, and staff are also called upon to fill out a buck right then and there to help start the board for the next month. This is a great way to unite staff around different initiatives and recognize the ways we help each other, with the added incentive of being recognized in front of peers and potentially earning a reward!
Saff buck boardAll of these changes to the way PBIS runs are helping the RV staff and students understand the importance of showing expected behaviors at school and recognizing each other for support and kindness.