Looking at the systems we have in place at the middle school, we come to the realization that we are a data-driven, decision-making school.
Our 2009-10 school year will include a power core time; this time will benefit students who are excelling, as well as students who need to concentrate on various strands in their core classes.
Using MCA and NWEA test results and teacher recommendations, we will place students in classes that will work best for the power core.
Another component of the system we will use will be Positive Behavior Intervention System (PBIS). What will this part look like?
The whole emphasis on this program is to reward students who are making the correct decisions about attendance, discipline, character, respect, responsibility and integrity.
In our grades 6-12 building, the program will be called "Patriot Pride." The whole series will be built on how respect, responsibility and integrity will look like in our school.
In addition to teaching this to our students, we will be talking to area businesses, building partnerships with them so we can reward the students who demonstrate the above attributes.
The Crosslake-Ideal Lions Club and Aitkin Dairy are two of the organizations that already want to be part of this program.
We recently had one of our sixth-graders, Jordan Lelwica, receive the "Patriot Pride" award. He found money on the floor at our spring dance and turned it in to the school. Another student had lost the money and was very happy to have it back!
Because of his integrity, Jordan was awarded one of the first PBIS T-shirts we had made for the program.
Even though the program hasn't "officially" started, we felt we had to recognize Jordan for his honesty. This is the type of behavior we want to promote and reward. We have great students at our school and we believe this will help encourage appropriate behavior both in and out of the school environment.
We realize that we cannot do this on our own; we all need to work together for a better tomorrow. This summer we plan to contact more of you, inviting you to be a part of this worthwhile program.
If you are interested in donating to our Positive Behavior Intervention System, please contact the school at 568-9357 and we will be happy to add you to our list of supporters.
We believe the students at Pequot School will provide a solid foundation for a greater tomorrow. With your help we can assist them in doing just that. Go "Pequot Pride" and PBIS for 2009-10!
(Randy Hansen is Pequot Lakes Middle School principal.)
