Long Point Elementary showcases 'Pals' PBIS program as district highlights MTSS gains and falling absenteeism
Loading...
Summary
Long Point Elementary staff presented the Pals PBIS program at the Feb. 17 board meeting; presenters tied the work to district MTSS efforts and reported chronic absenteeism fell from 29% to 16% this school year.
Long Point Elementary staff and students presented the school’s Long Point Pals program at the Kent City Schools Board of Education meeting on Feb. 17, showing how positive behavioral interventions and supports (PBIS) are being used to boost attendance, student engagement and a sense of school community.
Presenters said 55% of students currently have no absence concerns and reported the school’s chronic absenteeism rate dropped from 29% to 16% this school year. The presentation linked those gains to routines such as student‑run shout‑outs, grade‑level recognition, small celebrations (popcorn and a glow party) and a discreet food shelf for families. Teachers and student leaders described daily duties including tracking shout‑outs by grade and maintaining the sharing shelf; two student speakers, Paris Williams and LaMarcus Arnold, described roles they perform to recognize peers and staff.
District leaders placed the Long Point presentation in the context of a districtwide MTSS (multi‑tiered system of supports) update. District staff said MTSS is a framework — not a single program — that organizes supports in three tiers: core instruction for all students (tier 1), targeted interventions (tier 2) and individualized intensive supports (tier 3). The board heard that the district has established a District Leadership Team, building leadership teams and teacher‑based teams to monitor data, align interventions and expand access to literacy interventions at tier 2 across PK–12.
Why it matters
Administrators said the MTSS framework helps identify students who need support earlier and reduces unnecessary special‑education referrals by providing timely, evidence‑based interventions. Board members praised the Long Point staff and students for the hands‑on work that they said has contributed to improvements in attendance and school climate.
What the district reported
- 55% of Long Point students have no absence concerns this year. - Chronic absenteeism at Long Point decreased from 29% to 16% during the current school year. - District leaders said literacy interventions are now available at the tier‑2 level PK–12.
