By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
When students can’t read, schools teach them. When they struggle with math, schools teach them. But when they don’t behave well, too often schools punish them rather than teach them correct behaviors.
But at Bowling Green City Schools the focus has been on teaching behavioral skills through its Positive Behavioral Interventions and Support program, according to Debbie Ondrus, the district’s community outreach and student wellness coordinator.
And this year, the district’s three elementaries have been recognized in the region for their work with the PBIS program and Bobcat Proud efforts, Ondrus said during Tuesday’s board of education meeting.
Kenwood School Counselor Elise Buchhop explained the three expectations in the PBIS program to achieve positive behavior – focusing on students being respectful, responsible and safe.
Students can’t be expected to know how to behave when they start the school year, said Jordan Opfer, counselor at Conneaut Elementary. The Bobcat Proud program focuses on teaching the expected behaviors and rewarding students with positive reinforcement when they meet expectations.
“It just makes them feel good that they’re being noticed,” Opfer said.
The rewards range from stickers, T-shirts, and water bottles to breakfast with a community member.
Data collected helps the schools determine which students need additional supports, said Mary Beth Ellison, counselor at Crim Elementary.
The results of the PBIS and Bobcat Proud programs are calmer buildings, with fewer distractions for students and less referrals to the school offices, the counselors said. The programs also strengthen the relationships between parents and teachers, with the emphasis on positives rather than negatives.
In other business at Tuesday’s board meeting, Superintendent Francis Scruci announced that the district’s fifth grade students will be leaving for a week-long camp on Monday. Students were unable to go to camp the last two years because of the COVID pandemic.
Scruci reported that the air conditioning mini-split systems are fully operational at Conneaut Elementary. Due to supply chain issues, the district is still waiting for parts to complete the air conditioning projects at the high school and Kenwood Elementary.
Also at the meeting, Scruci read the list of donations to the school district in the past month – totaling $10,862.
“Our community has been very supportive of our district, and this is the latest example,” Scruci said.
The donations were earmarked for the fifth grade camp, faculty book scholarships, hygiene items for students, backpacks and school supplies, athletic teams, snacks for students and lunch boxes.
“The community is so generous in so many ways,” said board President Jill Carr.
But community support is still needed, according to board member Ginny Stewart, who reports monthly on needs at each school building. Those needs include:
- Conneaut Elementary: Boys clothes, sizes 4-6 for kindergartners, especially underwear, shorts and pants.
- Crim Elementary: Gently used or new athletic shoes. Some students are lacking shoes or boots for fifth grade camp next week, and shoes for gym classes.
- Kenwood Elementary: Snacks and disposable 4- or 6-ounce cups for students.
- Middle School: Supplies for Bobcat Basics program, including hygiene items, breakfast goods and snacks without nut products.
- High School: Donations for candy and Bobcat Proud “swag” that students can get with points earned from the Positive Behavioral Interventions and Support program.
“The donations have been plentiful,” Stewart said. “But just when you think you didn’t have a need, a need comes up – like boots for camp.”
In other business Tuesday evening:
- Black announced that six high school students had been selected by the College Board National Recognition Program for academic achievements in school and outstanding performance on the PSAT/NMSQT, PSAT 10, or AP exams. Recognized with National Rural and Small Town Awards were Eli Metzger, Kirby Bucks, Jacob Baumgardner, Matthew Brinkman, Jacob Center and Joseph Hover.
- Joe Edens from the Bowling Green School Foundation reported that teacher grant proposals are due soon. “Let’s get some money into the hands of teachers and students,” he said.
- Board member Ryan Myers remarked on the school and community support in the wake of the death of Kirk Cowan, who was a BGSU basketball alum, parent and youth sports leader, who recently died from leukemia. When his daughter’s varsity volleyball team recently played Whitmer, everyone was wearing orange in Cowan’s honor. Even the Whitmer team wore shirts saying “No one fights alone,” Myers said. “It was a pretty special moment.”
