What’s Right With Our Schools: Johnson County Elementary adopts PBIS program

WRIGHTSVILLE, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Students at Johnson County Elementary School are learning that being a good student has its benefits. 

Teachers are using a new program through Prevention Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) to focus more on classroom goals, and worry less about bad behavior. 

“We actually revamped our school-wide expectations,” says Principal Charles Howard. 

A few days out of the summer, Howard and a team of 60 teachers and paraprofessionals traded seats to become the students. The grouped learned a new reward program aimed at disciplining students. It’s called “Trojans Know Their ABC’s.”

If students apply the program’s rules to their daily tasks, they are individually recognized and given a blue ticket that is added to other blue tickets. Students hope to collect as many as they can as a group.

“A stands for always be respectful. B stands for be responsible, and the C stands for consider safety,” says Howard. 

Students, including 5th grader Logan Ivey, look forward to receiving incentives for making the right decisions at school. 

In Mrs. Angela’s social studies and reading class, Lillith Vinson works well in groups, and demonstrates leadership skills.

Mrs. Angela compliments Lilly on her ability to focus. In return, Vinson gets the anticipated blue ticket.

“Once we get 50 [blue tickets] we get to do a shaving cream art or either play a game,” says Vinson.

Ivey adds there are games like limbo and heads-up, 7-up. Ivey and his classmates play various games when they receive all 50 tickets. 

“And it’s really fun,” Ivey says, “I’m glad they issued this new policy.” 

Teacher Rana Winfrey hopes the program teaches them real-world skills. 

“It’s not just following the leader. You’ve got to be like…the leader.”

The second grade teacher has claims her students’ behavior has improved since the beginning of this program. 

“A lot of kids need that positive feedback from teachers and with this new behavior system they’re going to get more of the positive than the negative,” according to Winfrey.

Learning your ABC’s at Johnson County Elementary School is not only educational, but rewarding.

“It will benefit them beyond these doors,” says Howard. 

Principal Howard believes the lesson teaches discipline has benefits, in school and in life.

The elementary school partnered with Georgia Southern University in Statesboro to create this program. Howard says leaders at the university periodically measure how well the program is working for the school, and recommends changes through the program’s duration.