Published: October 06, 2008 07:45 pm         

District 118 to recognize Edison, Liberty

DANVILLE — Danville District 118 administration will recognize two schools for their success with Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports implementation at the school board meeting Wednesday night.

PBIS is a data-driven approach to discipline the district has placed at all schools except Danville High School for several years.

This year, Edison and Liberty elementary schools are recognized for “implementation” status.

Associate Superintendent Mark Denman said other schools have received the recognition in past years.

“PBIS is basically a process by which a staff commits to this format to improve the learning atmosphere in the building by making sure students understand the rules and expectations,” Denman said.

PBIS’s basic theory states that the reason for most infractions against school rules is that teachers assume students know the school rules already.

Many times, they don’t, according to PBIS.

PBIS uses building-wide rule definitions, such as what it means to be tardy.

Denman said, for example, that if some teachers say tardy is not being in class when the bell rings while others say it means not being seated with notebooks out, kids get confused.

Schools use PBIS software to document the frequency, location, time and other details of all discipline referrals, so they know how to arrange school schedules or even building layout so that the school day flows smoothly.

“The Implementing level is a high level,” Denman said.

One other recognition status level is higher than Implementing.

Denman said he hopes PBIS can eventually get put into place at DHS.

The board also will review results of the 2008 district audit.

An initial report indicates that there were no findings.

“Danville District 118 has maintained Financial Recognition according to the (Illinois State Board of Education) Financial Profile Score. It has taken the dedication and commitment of the entire District to achieve a sound financial position,” said District 118 Business Director Shanae Hinkle.

COMING UP

The Danville District 118 School Board will meet at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday in the Jackson Building, 516 N. Jackson St.