Stout Middle School Kicks Off New Positive Behavior Program

Dearborn's unveiled a Positive Behavior Intervention and Support program Monday aimed at discouraging bad behavior and rewarding students for acting in appropriate and respectful ways.

"Have you ever been in a classroom and had a student goofing around and a teacher is spending time dealing with that?" social studies teacher Frank Serazio asked students at a Monday morning assembly. "PBIS will help deal with that."

PBIS at Stout puts a Focus Card in the hands of every student. When a student is caught for an infraction–including such behaviors as talking in class or breaking the dress code–they get a signature on the card. Five signatures gets them an afternoon in detention. Ten signatures warrants a trip to the principal's office.

Fewer signatures guarantees the student a spot in that marking period's special activity–from this month's Halloween party to the end of the year trip to Cedar Point.

Further motivation will now come in the form of Falcon Funds, handed out by teachers who recognize students' good deeds. Funds can be used to purchase items from the Stout "store"–including a bevy of toys, school supplies and candy.

"If you're sombody who does what you're supposed to do, you're going to get rewarded," added language arts teacher Charlie Hool. "This is a motivating factor ... a constant reminder that you need to act well to get these things."

The PBIS program is just one of many being implemented in Dearborn Public Schools as part of the new district-wide anti-bullying program. Some schools, such as Stout, have used it as an opportunity to both encourage good behavior and discourage bullying, acting out and breaking rules.