Positive Behavior Intervention & Support (PBIS)

Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) is an evidence-based three-tiered framework to improve and integrate all of the data, systems, and practices affecting student outcomes every day. PBIS creates schools where all students succeed.

Tier 1: Tier 1 practices and systems establish a foundation of regular, proactive support while preventing unwanted behaviors. Schools provide these universal supports to all students, school-wide.

Tier 2: Tier 2 practices and systems support students who are at risk for developing more serious problem behaviors before those behaviors start. These supports help students develop the skills they need to benefit from core programs at the school.

Tier 3: At Tier 3, students receive more intensive, individualized support to improve their behavioral and academic outcomes. At this level, schools rely on formal assessments to determine a student’s need.

The BIG 4= Glacier Edge has 4 positively-stated expectations that all students and staff follow: Be Ready, Be Respectful, Be Responsible, Be Safe.

All-School Matrix= Each year, our PBIS team uses behavioral data to determine the skills our students need to learn and practice in order to be successful across a variety of school locations. Here is our current all-school Matrix, featuring connections to the Department of Public Instruction’s Social Emotional Learning (SEL) competencies:

Green Tickets= When staff notice students following the BIG 4 expectations or working hard to improve their skills, they can recognize this by handing the student (or a whole class) a green ticket. Classrooms collect the tickets, set goals as a group, and work to earn fun acknowledgement celebrations throughout the year. Each year, students compete to design the GE ticket. 12 designs across multiple grade levels are chosen to be featured on the green tickets for the rest of the school year. Check out last year’s winning submissions:

Tower of Power= When classrooms meet their ticket goals, they earn a ball to place in the Tower of Power. The entire school works together to fill the Tower of Power and earn all school celebrations! The “TOP squad” even comes to visit classrooms for impromptu dance parties when classes meet their goal.

Class of the Week= Every Friday, each class that has met their ticket goal is entered into a drawing for Class of the Week. Their photo is displayed near the main entrance of the school and they get to choose the song to be played on morning announcements the following week. 

Community Gatherings= Each month, we come together as a whole-school community to reinforce positive behavior expectations. Each month features a different grade level presenting on the BIG 4 in fun, entertaining ways. We close each gathering by singing the school song!

GE Prides & Good News Phone Calls= Staff members can write a GE Pride, or a special note, recognizing when students go above and beyond when demonstrating the BIG 4 expectations. These notes are read every morning on the daily announcements, and the principal calls home to share the wonderful news with families. Last year, Mrs. Taylor made over 800 phone calls!

Amy Nolting (School Psychologist & PBIS Internal Coach)

Melissa Bremmer (Music Teacher)

Ben Laxton (School Counselor)

Brittany Seefeld (School Social Worker)

Theresa Taylor (Principal)

If you are interested in learning more about how you can support the PBIS work at Glacier Edge, please reach out to: Amy Nolting, School Psychologist, at 608-497-2134 or noltinga@verona.k12.wi.us