Local schools encourage positivity and Antigo Pride

Antigo Times Staff

Antigo Pride is all about being positive. That’s why Pleasant View Elementary encourages and recognizes positive behavior with their “Character Counts” program.

Students displaying positive behavior are nominated by their teacher, and receive a certificate as well as a chance to win lunch with the principal, Amy Dahms.

Pleasant View Elementary is not the only school encouraging positivity. The past 3 years, the Unified School District of Antigo has been working diligently to create an atmosphere in our schools that promotes academic engagement and achievement for all students in a positive environment. The district is a member of the PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) network. The PBIS program is designed to maximize academic engagement and achievement for all students, including proactive strategies for defining, teaching and supporting appropriate behaviors in order to create a positive environment in our homes, schools and the community. The Unified School District of Antigo has established three district wide expectations to be used consistently throughout our daily interactions with students - BE SAFE, BE RESPECTFUL and BE RESPONSIBLE.

How does PBIS work? The district has established a matrix of behavioral expectations for all students, parents and staff. They have created “Cool Tools” or lesson plans to teach students these expectations. Schools throughout the district hold “Pride Practices,” giving students the opportunity to demonstrate and ask questions about expectations. Each school has created a positive system of reinforcement using “Robin Rewards” as well. Along with positive praise throughout each school day, students will earn Robin Rewards for making good choices and showing their Antigo Pride. Rewards can be used to purchase items from the Robin Rewards Store within their school or exchange them for rewards such as a principal taxi, extra art or recess time and more. Each school has developed their own rewards system with rewards in exchange for a few Robin Rewards or bigger prizes that students are encouraged to save their Robin Rewards for. Robin Rewards have also made their way into the community! Students can earn Robin Rewards on the bus, at the library or the Boys and Girls Club by demonstrating positive behaviors and showing their Antigo Pride in everything that they do.

Antigo High School recognizes positive behavior with their Student of the Week nominations. The middle school also gives out monthly Antigo Pride acknowledgements. Pleasant View Elementary, along with the other elementary schools in the district, nominate students for their “Character Counts” program.

Students, parents and staff members are asked to continuously make positive choices in all of their interactions throughout the school district, the community and at home. By doing this, we create an environment for students to thrive.