On Nov. 7, South Davie Middle School was recognized as an Exemplar School for the school’s PBIS program.

PBIS (Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports) is a school wide program to promote positive social behavior among students. Staff consistently reinforces and promotes desired activities through group and individual incentives.  Students are recognized regularly for their efforts.

South Davie was one of about 120 schools in the state to receive exemplar status, the highest level of recognition.

Amy Speckin, the school PBIS coordinator, indicates that major decreases in office referrals and improvements in behavior since the program was implemented during the 2005-2006 school year.

“PBIS has been a wonderful thing for South Davie,”  Speckin said. Through consistent discipline procedures, rewards, incentives, and interventions, South Davie has reduced the frequency of incidents and improved overall school climate.  The importance of this has a direct impact on student achievement and academic progress.

“It (PBIS) allows our teachers to focus on the students and provide them with a quality education rather than discipline issues,” Speckin said. “Our students and staff work hard every day South the exemplar school it is.”

Schools are evaluated yearly through required walkthroughs, school wide goals and improvement targets. This is the fifth time since the 2011-2012 school year that South Davie has met the requirements for exemplar recognition.

Melissa Lynch, principal, said she is proud. “PBIS is the foundation of a positive school culture and reaches into the classroom and beyond.  I am immensely proud of the accomplishment of our students and staff,” Lynch said.