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WEM Gets Exemplar District Recognition

We are very proud that the WEM School District has been recognized as a 2021 Sustaining Exemplar PBIS District by the Minnesota Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) State Leadership Team. Congratulations as well to Morristown Junior High and Waterville Elementary for also being recognized individually as PBIS Exemplar schools. Thank you to the teams in both building sites for their hard work.

For this achievement, WEM will receive a certificate signed by the Commissioner. The district was also honored along with other recipients at a virtual ceremony during the PBIS Summer Institute on the morning of June 17.

But what is PBIS? The Minnesota PBIS organization describes it as, “a framework for organizing strategies to enhance academic and social outcomes using databased decision making.” In a nutshell, student expectations are defined, then taught and rewarded. Likewise, problematic behaviors are defined and have clear consequences. There is ongoing training for staff, and data is collected and examined to inform future strategies.

WEM has chosen the label of “BucsPride” to identify our unique PBIS program. Students can earn tokens for positive behavior, and they are awarded individually and as groups with prizes and fun activities. Some examples have included Bingo, leprechaun hunt, field day, bounce house, Halloween celebration, all school read, door decorating contest, all school assemblies, kindness challenges, and food drives. At our school, we have BucsPride!

buccaneer logo with text "BucsPride"

Author: Margo Kulseth E-Mail: mkulseth@wem.k12.mn.us