Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the School Culture topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Ohio Street Elementary showcases PBIS and Positivity Project; referrals down 37% and attendance high
Summary
Principal Kelsey Shepis and staff described new PBIS incentives, a 'Dino Diner' cafeteria recognition program and Positivity Project training district staff attended. The school reported a 37% drop in referrals and high attendance this fall.
Ohio Street Elementary staff presented school culture and behavioral initiatives at the Watertown City School District meeting, highlighting a mix of PBIS incentives, new staff roles and district-level training tied to social-emotional learning.
"Our referrals have decreased by 37%," Principal Kelsey Shepis told the board, pointing to programs such as classroom 'dinosaur eggs' that feed a schoolwide 'dinosaur puzzle' and a Dino Diner Friday recognition in the cafeteria. Shepis also introduced a new teaching assistant, Melinda Hodkinson, and counselor Ashley Ward and credited them with improving de-escalation, small-group interventions and student supports.
Teacher Amy Briggs described takeaways from the Positivity Project Leadership Conference, including a district-level emphasis on teaching positive psychology and character strengths across grades. Briggs cited speakers and breakout sessions that emphasized weekly mental-health instruction and embedding P2 language in mission statements; she also invited board members to observe lessons.
Staff reported attendance holding steady this fall, with a low point of 89% and roughly 70 students showing perfect attendance so far. Administrators said that discipline referrals and cafeteria incidents have declined since implementing these programs.
No formal policy vote was taken on the programs during the meeting; staff framed the initiative as part of ongoing building-level practice and district alignment with social-emotional supports.
