Wherever we go, whatever we do, certain behaviors are expected, including at school. In support of this expectation, the Cuyahoga Heights School District, as well as all three of its schools, have been awarded the prestigious Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) Bronze Award from the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce for the 2024-2025 School Year. Achieving the Bronze Award celebrates the district’s students for consistently demonstrating positive expected behaviors and recognizes faculty and staff for their ongoing commitment to reinforcing the positive choices that help every student thrive.
What is PBIS?
PBIS is a recommended framework that Ohio schools are required to implement to make schools safer. Intended to be a positive approach to discipline, PBIS charges schools and districts to create a school environment where each student can thrive and reach his or her potential. This means setting consistent positive expectations for student behavior so ALL students can experience social, emotional, and academic success. It includes posting visual reminders throughout the building, recognizing students for their positive behavior, and enforcing consistent meaningful consequences when violations of expected behaviors occur. To receive the Bronze Award, schools must demonstrate a consistent, data-driven approach to addressing behavior, strong team structures that support implementation, and clear evidence that universal practices are being used reliably across all areas of the school.
Cuyahoga Heights Schools has a PBIS Committee composed of teachers, interventionists, specialists, parents/guardians, aides, and other team members. This committee focuses on behavioral expectations and intervention needs in each building.
“This districtwide recognition reflects our commitment to proactively supporting students and addressing behavioral needs before they escalate into discipline issues, creating learning environments where all students can succeed.” said Superintendent Matt Young about the district’s receiving this prestigious award.