Have you ever seen students at LCMS get small slips of paper called PAWS bucks? Those are given to students who show the PAWS expectations–practice safety, act responsibly, work hard, and show respect. You might wonder, why do teachers give them out? Well, it’s part of a system called PBIS.
The PBIS program was created in the late 1990s by a man named Rob Horner, a professor at the University of Oregon. PBIS stands for Positive Behavior Intervention Support. It was designed to provide an alternative to misbehavior. Instead, it encourages positive behavior. The goal is to reward students that are making good choices so they will continue doing so.
PAWS bucks are one way that students at LCMS are rewarded in order to make sure that everyone follows the rules. During the first week of school, an assembly was held to get everyone excited for the year ahead and to go over LCMS’ motto: PAWS.
By continuing to follow PBIS, the school can carry on with one of the main things LCMS strives to provide: a safe and calm school environment. No bullying or breaking the rules, just an enjoyable place to learn. So, don’t forget to follow those rules, because they’re there for a reason, and remember to look out for those PAWS bucks!