JFK Elementary highlights PBIS gains and a new boys mentorship group at district meeting

JFK Elementary Principal J. Danny Chu told the Jefferson Elementary School District board that the school has shifted classroom practice to emphasize universal design for learning and social-emotional supports, and said 92% of students at JFK report having supportive relationships at school. The presentation, delivered on behalf of the school by Principal Chu, fifth‑grade teacher Bridget King and fifth‑grader Connor Sardenna, highlighted PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports), check-in/check-out mentorship, multilingual posted learning goals and student leadership roles such as a rebooted safety patrol.

Bridget King described classroom changes she said have reduced behavioral incidents: “We have positive expectation posters with pictures and words to support all learners at all levels,” she said, and noted that videos and regular adult mentors who set daily goals are part of the school’s approach. King credited Principal Chu with identifying students for additional support and with starting a boys group to address students’ social‑emotional needs.

Principal Chu framed the boys group as an equity intervention focused on students who are struggling. He described weekly 30‑minute meetings with essential questions and activities designed to build teamwork and resilience, and said parental reaction has been positive. “I launched a boys group at my school… I’ve doubled the amount of students that I’ve taken in and the parents have had really positive feedback,” he said.

Fifth‑grader Connor Sardenna described his role as safety patrol captain: greeting families, assisting with backpacks and car doors, and helping younger students feel welcome. The board presented Connor a certificate of appreciation for participating in the flag ceremony and the presentation.

Trustees praised the presentation and asked whether the boys group has counterparts elsewhere; Chu said he had not identified similar programs in other schools but described expansion plans for affinity groups and daily check‑ins for about 10 students who need extra supports. He credited school counselor Winnie Lynn for outreach and coordinating lunch‑time groups aimed at pro‑social development.

Trustees expressed interest in visiting JFK to observe the program and encouraged staff to publicize lessons learned so other schools might replicate successful elements. The superintendent thanked the JFK team and noted the school had been one of the sites selected to upload documents for a federal program monitoring audit.

The board’s remarks and trustees’ questions focused on replication, measurement and staff capacity. Trustees emphasized student attendance and engagement as essential to sustaining program funding and urged continued community outreach. The meeting moved on to routine items and formal votes after the presentation.