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Ruggles Lane fifth-graders describe PBIS, reward systems and all‑school meetings to school committee
Summary
Fifth-grade students from Ruggles Lane School presented the school's PBIS (Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports) framework, the RLS Rocks recognition program and monthly all‑school meetings at the Jan. 9 Quabbin Regional School District School Committee meeting, describing how those practices shape school culture and student incentives.
Three fifth-grade students from Ruggles Lane School described the school's behavior framework and recognition systems to the Quabbin Regional School District School Committee on Jan. 9.
"PBIS stands for positive behavior interventions and supports," student Leah McKenzie told the committee. "PBIS is not a program, but a set of best practices that increase student and staff well‑being through proactive measures." She explained that Ruggles Lane teachers establish and teach expectations, use positive reinforcement and apply restorative consequences.
The students explained the school's "star" class reward system, in which classes earn stars for meeting expectations across shared spaces. When a homeroom reaches 20 stars the class cashes in for a reward such as an extra recess, a picnic with the principals, a class movie or a spirit day. Student presenters said homerooms had cashed in “46 times, including 920 class stars” and that students had earned “over 1,000 class stars since the start of the school year.”
Another presenter described "RLS Rocks," the school's individual recognition program. Educators nominate role models weekly; principals send positive emails home and recognized students receive backpack tags and photos in the main lobby. The students said 91 students had been recognized as RLS Rocks role models and that staff had connected with families 292 times since the program began.
The third presenter described the monthly all‑school meeting, held on the last Friday of the month and tied to spirit‑day themes. The agenda follows responsive classroom practices and includes a presentation of a "Golden Dust Pan" award by building and grounds staff for a grade level that keeps shared spaces clean.
School committee members asked students whether the incentives influenced classmates' behavior; presenters said the star system had encouraged others to behave better in order to earn rewards. Committee members and staff praised the students' presentations, and committee members thanked teachers and administrators for supporting the programs.
The committee heard the presentation in-person and remotely; the principal and assistant principal accompanied the students and introduced them to the committee.
The committee's public record shows the segment of the meeting where the students spoke and the committee's subsequent questions and praise.
