Licking Heights Local Schools is pleased to announce that Summit Station Intermediate School, Broad Peak Elementary School, Everest Elementary School, and the former North Elementary School have received recognition from the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce (ODEW) for their efforts with Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS). These awards are in recognition of the 2023-24 school year.

PBIS is a data-based, tiered framework for schools that supports the mental, social, emotional, academic, and behavioral well-being of all students. When fully implemented, PBIS creates a safe, equitable learning environment that supports the unique needs of each student. 

The PBIS framework includes three tiers: Tier 1, which supports all students, educators and staff; Tier 2, which provides additional support, instruction and academic and social guidance to students who need it; and Tier 3, which provides intensive and individualized behavioral support for high-need students. All schools at Licking Heights have successfully implemented Tier 1.

In Ohio, schools may receive a Gold, Silver or Bronze PBIS recognition. Bronze recognitions are given to schools that have successfully implemented and are maintaining Tier 1 support, Silver is awarded to schools that have done the same with Tier 2 and Gold for Tier 3. 

Broad Peak and Everest earned a Bronze recognition, and North and Summit Station earned Silver. Last year, Summit Station earned a Bronze rating. Schools must apply for recognition, and must provide data surrounding student behavior, how easy it is for the schools to locate and track student behavior data, and school-wide efforts to build and support a PBIS staff network. 

As part of the PBIS framework, each building at Heights has a specific team that manages the system for their students and staff. Director of Pupil Services Mitch Tom credits the hard work of each building’s team for the statewide recognition.

“At Licking Heights, we are committed to elevating every learner to new heights each day. This includes the behavioral, social and emotional education of our students,” says Tom. “These awards recognizing our excellence in PBIS are a testament to each building’s efforts to build a school culture and learning environment that supports, encourages, uplifts and benefits all students, no matter what their unique needs may be. We are honored to accept these awards and thank ODEW for the recognition.”