Wissahickon highlights PBIS rollout as Shady Grove fifth-graders present student ambassador program

At the Wissahickon School Board meeting March 31, Shady Grove Elementary presented its PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) student ambassador program and district administrators described schoolwide PBIS rollout across the district.

Shady Grove principal Dr. Jason Bianco introduced a group of fifth-grade PBIS ambassadors and their teacher mentor, noting the ambassadors were selected through a multi-part application that included a one-page resume, peer recommendations and essays. Mrs. Kennedy, who led the presentation, told the board, "lead with dignity. That is our motto." The students described activities they have run, including a kindness heart with positive sticky notes, mentoring younger students and a cafeteria “star” system to reward on-task behavior.

The student representatives demonstrated how they mentor peers and described specific efforts: distributing encouraging notes, conducting check-ins, and teaching bus expectations to kindergartners. The board applauded the ambassadors’ work, and several members praised the students’ leadership and teamwork.

Separately, district leaders updated the board on PBIS implementation. Dr. DuJuan summarized recent fidelity walk-throughs conducted with partners from the Montgomery County Intermediate Unit (MCIU) and said the elementary schools have received feedback to shape action plans. "This is the second year for this goal, but this is the first year of full implementation for PBIS across all of the schools," DuJuan said, explaining that the prior year focused on training and building implementation infrastructure.

District staff said secondary schools will have fidelity reviews in the second year of the model and that PBIS core teams from each school will meet in April at Central Office to review Benchmarks of Quality and refine plans. The district also announced a PBIS family night on April 10 at 6 p.m. at Central Office to showcase PBIS at elementary, middle and high school levels and to host small-group listening circles for families.

Board members asked for future reporting that ties fidelity of implementation to student outcomes. One board member noted that fidelity is a means to an end and expressed interest in seeing outcome measures in subsequent updates.

The Shady Grove presentation included 11 ambassadors; students and staff emphasized the program’s role in building student voice and daily leadership opportunities.