The halls of Columbus City Schools (CCS) are resonating with a different kind of vibe these days - one that's got a firm grip on positive behavior and is gaining recognition for it, too. Recently, CCS celebrated the success of its schools at the annual PBIS Showcase Award, where 68 schools were given a nod for their staunch support of Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS). This framework is not just a fancy educational buzzword. It's a setup that has been steadily transforming the school district into what every parent, teacher, and student hopes for: a safe, supportive, and conducive learning environment.
At the celebration, Como Elementary School counselor Carrie Ploude emphasized the tangible impact of PBIS. "PBIS has given our school systems and structures that help us to make decisions around students' lives that make an impact across all areas of their lives," Ploude told Columbus City Schools. Como Elementary, striking gold in the PBIS standings, has shown stellar results with fewer than 10 suspensions this year post the implementation of restorative practices and other student centered strategies.
Statistics reveal the story behind the district’s plunge into PBIS. According to data from Panorama Student Surveys cited by CCS, the 2023-2024 school year witnessed a hike in climate ratings by 1%, emotion regulation by 1%, and a significant leap in student growth mindset by 5%. These snippets of statistical triumphs translate into an overarching narrative - Columbus City Schools are setting a sterling example for whole-child initiatives, including academic rigor, social-emotional learning, and trauma-informed approaches.
"We were very excited when we got the information that we won Gold status," proclaimed Watkins Elementary Principal Caroline Walker in a statement issued by Columbus City Schools. For the second consecutive year, Watkins Elementary strutted away with Gold, a testament to its PBIS-driven change in school culture. The ethos within CCS is one of constant evolution and improvement, an endeavor reflected not just in the hallways of its top-tier schools but echoed in the fact that more CCS campuses are receiving state recognition than before.
The awards are a reflective notch on the measuring stick of positive school culture, honoring schools across three tiers: Gold, Silver, and Bronze. From Como Elementary to Watkins Elementary, the awards span a spectrum of successes. The cited PBIS teams and school counselors are not resting on their laurels; they aim to continue offering training, coaching, and strategic innovations to maintain and further the positive changes. With enthusiastic endorsements of interventions like PAX, which fosters a co-created positive classroom environment, CCS shows its unwavering commitment to honoring achievements and striving for the consistent growth and development of its pupils.
Superintendent/CEO of Columbus City Schools, Dr. Angela Chapman, encapsulates the district's pride and progressive momentum. "I'm tremendously proud of all of these schools," she said, as reported by CCS. "Columbus City Schools continues to show that great things are happening in our school communities. We continue to increase the number of schools that are recognized by the state for the work that [our educators] are doing." It's clear that as CCS delves deeper into its PBIS program, the future only looks progressively brighter for its student body, teaching faculty, and the surrounding community.
