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Kings Highway principal updates board on iPad rollout, PBIS, MTSS and student-led blacktop refresh
Summary
Kings Highway Elementary Principal Bobby Graham told the board about early successes with a recent iPad rollout, expanded Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) activities, multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS) coordination and a student council project to refresh the blacktop recess area.
Bobby Graham, principal of Kings Highway Elementary School, told the Coatesville Area School District board on Feb. 25 that Kings Highway has implemented an iPad deployment and several schoolwide programs intended to boost student engagement and staff collaboration.
Graham said the iPad rollout has been received quickly at the school, with first-graders using the devices to play review activities (Kahoot) and fourth-graders using the free-form app as digital whiteboards. "Technology and education in the hands of our students is super, super empowering," Graham said.
Graham also described several behavior and support initiatives. He credited the school's PBIS (Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports) team for expanding recognition programs including classroom "star" charts, a mobile "Leo cart" stocked with small rewards, and a golden table in the cafeteria where a student and two friends may eat after redeeming tokens. "We use Paws, little paper token based tickets that students get rewarded for when we catch them doing great," Graham said.
On academic and social-emotional supports, Graham said his MTSS (Multi-Tiered Systems of Support) team meets monthly with grade-level teachers to identify needs and coordinate interventions. He described staff empathy interviews conducted as part of a "Belonging Through Dignity" initiative; the core team includes Samantha Kress (fifth-grade teacher), Alicia Johnson (autistic support teacher) and Theresa Mitchell (school counselor). Graham said the team partnered with outside consultants and that staff volunteered for in-depth empathy interviews to inform action steps.
Student voice was highlighted: fifth-grade student council members Charlotte and Alicia presented a proposal to "refresh the blacktop recess space" with new painted games and layouts. "When the playground and grass are off limits, we have blacktop only," Charlotte told the board. The students described game ideas (four square repainting, obstacle courses, a bullseye game and a "floor is lava" course) and said the next steps are design finalization, principal approval and presenting to the PTO for partnership.
Graham also described planned family engagement: a readathon culminating in a family curriculum-and-game night during Read Across America week (March 3-12), where teachers will host informal Q&A sessions for parents about classroom techniques and curriculum alignment.
Graham said staff-facing initiatives include a staff walking club and teacher recognition events. He closed by thanking the board for its support and noting that several activities arose from teacher and student feedback gathered since he began at the school this school year.
