Manassas City Public Schools unveils new behavior support system for student success

The Manassas City Public Schools Board convened on June 24, 2025, to discuss significant updates regarding the district's behavior support system. The meeting, led by Professional Learning Coordinator Erica Loesch, focused on the development and implementation of a tiered system of behavioral support aimed at fostering a culture of caring within the schools.

Loesch began by outlining the strategic priority identified in the district's Strategic Plan 2027, emphasizing the need for a structured approach to behavioral support. Since December 2023, a collaborative effort involving assistant principals, school counselors, and athletic directors has been underway to establish a consistent behavioral support framework across all schools.

The formation of a behavior support system steering committee in June 2024 and a guiding coalition in August 2024 marked critical steps in this initiative. The guiding coalition, comprising 21 educators from various schools and central office, aims to create a proactive system that promotes positive academic and social behaviors for students from kindergarten through graduation.

Key to this initiative is the development of essential behavior standards, which define the academic and social skills necessary for student success. These standards were collaboratively crafted to ensure alignment across all grade levels, reinforcing the importance of mastering these behaviors in various learning environments.

Loesch highlighted the use of the Behavior Integration Assessment (BIA) from Hanigan's Behavior Solutions as a foundational tool for monitoring the implementation of the behavior support system. This comprehensive assessment will guide the establishment of division-wide expectations and facilitate ongoing professional learning opportunities for staff.

Each school has also established a behavior support system leadership team, responsible for implementing school-wide prevention strategies and monitoring behavioral data to identify areas needing attention. This team will work closely with school administration to ensure the effective execution of the behavior support system.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to ongoing professional development and collaboration among educators to ensure the successful implementation of the behavior support system, ultimately aiming to enhance student behavioral growth and success throughout the district.