Grafton elementary students demonstrate PBIS routines and recognition system

Students from North Grafton and South Grafton Elementary Schools presented the district’s Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports program to the Grafton School Committee on April 7.

At a packed meeting, students described the three school rules—be kind, be safe, be responsible—and explained how staff recognize those behaviors with “penguin prints.” Students said penguin prints go into class jars, which are pooled into grade-level jars; filling jars yields rewards chosen by students, such as “bring your stuffy to school,” picnic lunches or extra recess. Teachers sometimes mark penguin prints with a star, which gives students entry into a monthly raffle for roles like bus-line helper or announcements.

Principal Julie Flynn and Principal Lisa Wallace introduced the student presenters and praised their clarity. During a short Q&A, committee members asked students about specific rewards and home practices; students described lotions of examples—helping a peer up on the playground, keeping voices off in the hall, caring for classroom materials—and described classroom prizes such as movie or pajama day and a “stuffy sleepover.”

The program was presented as a model for other districts: Flynn said the schools had served as demonstration sites for neighboring districts working to develop PBIS practices. Committee members thanked the students and staff for the presentation and recognized teacher Mrs. Carr for award-winning Project Lead The Way work in the district.

The presentation closed with photos and short remarks from the committee. No committee action was required; the item concluded with routine announcements and a transition to the district budget discussion.