How Heights Elementary Shines in Lee County Schools with PBIS

But… maybe you should. Heights Elementary is located within Lee County Schools in Ft. Myers Florida and they have built a school culture that stands as a model for schools everywhere and snow cones are at the center of it.

Recently on the LiveSchool Podcast, Matt got a chance to chat with Bryana Van Helden. Bryana is the PBIS Coach for Heights and snow cones are just one example of the great rewards system that she and the team have developed to motivate the students at Heights.

But the system they’ve built at Heights is a model for much more than just great rewards. They have developed a complete PBIS program that has been recognized as a Platinum status school by the Florida PBIS Project. 

Let’s take a more in-depth look at the PBIS school culture Bryana and her team have built.

PBIS in Lee County Schools

Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) is a proactive approach to behavior in your building. PBIS tiers are designed to differentiate between the levels of support your students need.

‍Lee County Schools recognizes PBIS as a critical component to creating a learning environment where all students can shine. It’s a vital component of a complete behavior support and discipline system. 

In Lee County, all schools are required to provide positive behavior support systems, and most schools have received training and recognition from the Florida PBIS Project, with 60 schools receiving Model School status! 

Schools in LCS often combine PBIS and SEL to create a holistic support system for their students. Each school also has a dedicated team that continually reviews attendance, behavior, and course performance data to plan proactive support. 

Even with all of that success, Heights still stands out as a school to emulate. Platinum status is the highest reward a school can obtain and it is a testament to the work that Bryana and her team have put into the culture at Heights.

Let’s start where the work always starts for PBIS schools, with behavior rubrics and PBIS expectations. 👇

PBIS Expectations in Lee County Schools

At Heights Elementary, the school culture isn't just about academics—it's about shaping well-rounded students. PAWS, their acronym for behavior expectations, embodies this perfectly: 

These aren’t just words but principles that guide every interaction. With the Panther as their mascot, these values are woven into the fabric of daily life at Heights. But it doesn't stop there. 

They've seamlessly integrated their LiveSchool rubric with the IB learner profiles, emphasizing traits like being principled and balanced. This fusion isn't just about alignment; it's about fostering a holistic approach to education. 

Students aren't just learners; they're individuals developing character and integrity. And to maintain all that consistency, the consequences are aligned too. 

‍Behavior reflection sheets directly correspond to the PAWS expectations, ensuring students own their actions and learn from them. At Heights, it's not just about learning—it's about becoming the best versions of themselves, both academically and personally.

Speaking of consequences, let’s take a look at the “consequences” of meeting the expectations at Heights.

PBIS Rewards in Lee County Schools

Every exceptional PBIS program understands the importance of incorporating effective rewards to keep students engaged and ensure that school remains a positive and enjoyable environment for learning. 

We’ve already mentioned snow cones, let's take a look at a few of the other great reward ideas that Bryana and her team have developed at Heights:

Attendance Popcorn Parties

Who doesn’t like a good bag of popcorn? Butter? Salt? Can’t beat it. A popcorn party is a great incentive for good attendance as well as good behavior. 

The best part about this is you probably already have a popcorn machine on campus! Every good concession stand starts with a popcorn machine and every campus has a concession stand.

Wheel of Choices

We all grew up watching “The Price is Right” on daytime TV. This is that but with small rewards for your students. They are going to love it. Don’t believe me? Check out the wheel in action at another Florida school: St. Vincent Ferrer.

Book Vending Machine

Heights purchased a vending machine and filled it with books that can be purchased with LiveSchool points. So. Awesome. 📖

If you try this one, make sure you include books from a wide range of genres and don’t forget the comics! In addition to books that students can read, add activity books such as coloring books, crossword puzzles, and word searches.

Pie the Principal

This event is a perfect student or House incentive, especially if you have a favorite principal that students would like to surprise with a splat! Why not pie a teacher as well while you're at it? 

It may not be the most fun for the targeted teacher, but it’ll be a memorable experience for everyone else!

Water Day 

Water slides. Water balloons. Foam cannons. It’s about to go down. You might need to wear a raincoat to enjoy this reward day but your students are going to look forward to (and be motivated by) this event all year long.

Implementing PBIS in Lee County Schools

Crafting a vibrant PBIS program, such as the one at Heights Elementary, demands meticulous planning and the dedicated involvement of every educator. 

It's imperative to proceed with patience, gradually implementing each component while securing enthusiastic buy-in from teachers right from the start. For Heights, ensuring teacher engagement was paramount. 

They orchestrated small group rotations during in-service days, providing each educator with invaluable hands-on experience and comprehensive training in every aspect of the program, from behavior rubrics to LiveSchool integration.

This approach not only empowered teachers with the knowledge and skills needed for successful implementation but also fostered a sense of ownership and investment in the program's success. 

As a result, Heights Elementary continues to thrive as a beacon of excellence in PBIS implementation, showcasing the transformative power of a united and committed educator community.