Positive Steps for Student Well-being: PBIS and Sources of Strength in Forest Hills
Sharing its commitment to student well-being, the Forest Hills Foundation for Education is supporting the Forest Hills School District initiatives with two impactful programs: Positive Behavioral Intervention and Supports (PBIS) and Sources of Strength.
PBIS is an evidence-based framework focused on creating positive, predictable, fair and safe learning environments where all students can thrive. By proactively supporting students’ behavioral, academic, emotional, social and mental health, PBIS aims to improve social-emotional competence, academic success and overall school climate. This approach recognizes and reinforces positive behavior.
As Mercer sixth-grader Kristina Pritts notes, “PBIS acknowledges good behavior instead of punishing bad behavior; and it makes me so much of a better student.” Fifth-grader Jay Riegler from Mercer adds this benefit “When you follow our (school’s) rules, which are being respectful, responsible and safe, you can get a blue ticket. When you get 30 blue tickets you can trade those in to go down to the PBIS Game Room.”
Wilson Elementary counselor Jean Bode demonstrating PBIS tools
The Forest Hills Foundation for Education (FHFE) has demonstrated its strong support for PBIS by awarding a $20,000 teacher grant for the 2024-25 school year. This funding will provide consistent PBIS efforts across all nine schools, including preschool.
Kimberly Beard, Assistant Principal at Mercer, emphasizes the positive impact, “Mercer’s theme for the year is ‘What You Water Grows!’ When you look for and acknowledge children’s positive behaviors, they expand throughout the school. PBIS provides a systematic framework for recognizing each child’s contributions to making school an engaging and safe learning environment. It provides strategies for supporting their growth and development through caring adult relationships, coaching, connection and collaboration.”
Complementing PBIS, Sources of Strength is an evidence-based suicide prevention program that empowers peerleaders and caring adults to promote positive mental health, encourage help-seeking behaviors, and build stronger connections withing the FHSD community. The Forest Hills Foundation has also awarded a $13,000 district grant to support the implementation of Sources of Strength at Nagel, Anderson and Turpin schools.
Data plays a crucial role in the effective implementation of these programs. As Wilson Elementary counselor Jean Bode quotes renowned statistician W. Edwards Deming “Without data, you’re just another person with an opinion.” Bode further explains how Wilson uses the data it gathers “At Wilson, we’ve been looking at student, family and staff PBIS survey data to observe trends year over year. We use data to get insights into our stakeholders’ understanding of PBIS, their impressions of what does and doesn’t work for them, and to inform our implementation of PBIS at Wilson. One thing we’re really proud of that was evidenced in our student survey data is that there is a 7% increase (71% to 78% since last year in our 4th-6th grade response to ‘Do blue cards help you follow the Wilson Way’?’” (The Wilson Way: Take Care of Yourself, Take Care of Others, Take Care of Wilson.)
Through the implementation of PBIS and Sources of Strength, supported by Forest Hills Foundation for Education, the district is fostering a more positive, supportive, and mentally healthy environment for all students in all schools.
Each school participates in PBIS. Here are there taglines or slogans:
- Anderson – Representing the A
- Turpin – 4 CORE
- Nagel – Every Nighthawk Knows
- Ayer – Ayer Cares
- Maddux – Maddux Matters
- Mercer – Eagle Excellence
- Sherwood – Archer Actions
- Summit – Summit Strong
- Wilson – The Wilson Way
We are proud to support our front-line educators that empower and impact students on a daily basis. Your donations directly impact hundreds of FHSD students each year through programs like PBIS and Sources of Strength.
Mercer students Jay Riegler and Kristina Pritts at work in the PBIS Game Room
The Foundation connects students to resources designed to help them prepare for the college of their choice.
College Essay Writing Workshop
Registration is now open for the 2025 College Essay Writing Workshop.
Friday, June 6th
Nagel Middle School
9:00 am – 12:00 pm
FHFE and Riverbend Education Solutions, LLC are providing an opportunity for rising high school seniors to attend a four-hour workshop devoted to brainstorming essay topics and developing relevant essay structure. The goal of the workshop is for each student to leave with either a solid outline or first draft of a main personal statement and have the tools to develop more. The workshop is held in June and current Anderson HS and Turpin HS rising seniors can register in the Spring.
