Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the School Discipline topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Drexel Hill Middle highlights 'Small Steps Big Impact' PBIS recognition program
Summary
Drexel Hill Middle School principals described a PBIS system built around monthly themes, student recognitions (student‑of‑the‑month, kindness award) and a new 'Small Steps Big Impact' award inspired by Atomic Habits; the school uses 'DH dollars' redeemable at a school store to reinforce behavior.
Drexel Hill Middle School principal Jill Paladino and assistant principal Jen Rosen described the school's Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports program and how it recognizes student progress with monthly themes, targeted awards and small incentives.
"This month was trustworthy. Next month is respect," Paladino said, explaining that staff nominate students and recognize them publicly at assemblies. She described the newly introduced "Small Steps Big Impact Award," which uses the idea of incremental improvement from the book Atomic Habits to reward consistent small changes in student behavior.
Paladino explained the school's incentive economy: students receive "DH dollars" for positive behavior and can spend them at a school store that opens several times per year. She said awards such as student‑of‑the‑month and the kindness award come with different DH dollar amounts and that the program has increased student engagement and confidence.
A student who spoke during the presentation described being surprised when recognized at assemblies and said the recognition was meaningful. Paladino and Rosen credited the program with creating clearer expectations and opportunity for staff to reinforce desired behaviors.
The presentation concluded with the PBIS team thanking the board for its support and offering small tokens of appreciation in honor of School Board Appreciation Month.
