California PBIS has recognized 15 Ceres Unified School District schools for their work in implementing a framework of Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) to support successful student outcomes. The schools are Adkison, Carroll Fowler, Hidahl, La Rosa, Virginia Parks, Sinclear, and Sam Vaughn elementary schools, Caswell and Lucas Elementary dual language academies, Whitmore Charter School of the Arts and Technology, Blaker-Kinser, Cesar Chavez, and Mae Hensley junior high schools, and Ceres and Central Valley high schools.

California PBIS is an organization that works with school districts and county offices of education in implementing, evaluating, and providing professional learning around a system of tiered social, emotional, and behavioral supports. According to the organization, schools identified for the statewide recognition have demonstrated “excellence in the implementation of the core features of PBIS.”

CUSD behavior specialist Marci Murray explained that the goal of PBIS is to teach students social-appropriate behaviors that will carry them through school and into the community.

“We’re not just teaching academics; we’re teaching life skills, accountability, and how to course-correct when you make a mistake.”

In the same way that the district relies on curriculums to guide instruction for core subjects like English and Math, a focus on consistency across behavior expectations and how they’re being taught provides a roadmap for staff and clarity for students, said Murray. Each CUSD school has established PBIS teams that collaborate to define desirable behaviors such as being safe, responsible and respectful, with universal language around behavior and clear feedback for students, whether positive or corrective.

“Even out on the playground, a teacher or yard duty can praise or redirect students using that universal language. It becomes part of the school culture,” said Murray.

Tiered levels of support range from Tier 1, which provides a school-wide foundation for positive behavior expectations through classroom instruction and consistent feedback, to Tiers 2 and 3, which offer more intensive group and individual support. Schools incorporate PBIS into family outreach efforts to ensure that families are aware of behavior expectations and resources and can integrate elements at home, if they choose to.

Murray said the state-level recognitions reflect the hard work of teachers and school staff.

“We’re all on the same team to meet the needs of all students. We all have that initiative and that lens of enhancing behaviors the same way we do with academics.”