Westwood PBIS student committees take flight

PBIS (Positive Behavior Intervention Support) has been implemented throughout the Cheney School District, and now students at Westwood Middle School are working to make their classes safer while building a better environment.

Westwood recently established two PBIS student committees, one comprised of sixth-graders and the other seventh and eighth-graders. PBIS student communities are not anything new to schools on the West Plains. There are committees established at Cheney High School and Medical Lake Middle School.

Westwood counselor Cassie Costello said students came to her with concerns about the behavior they witnessed in class from their classmates. She got the idea for students to meet monthly and brainstorm ideas for positive behavior.

"I'm happy to give students a voice and the committee gives them a space to express their concerns," Costello said. "And all kids are welcome."

Eric White Boomer is one of the six-grade committee members. Like other students, he too had some concerns about behaviors he had seen in the classroom.

"It's nice to get to discuss our concerns with classmates," White Boomer said. "It's also nice to have our ideas and concerns heard and be taken seriously."

Garner Prior and Kelly Goforth are two eighth-graders who joined the seventh/eighth grade committee not only to address the issues they see in class, but also to "help solve problems" and get more involved with school.

One of the activities the committee has done is creating and posting posters around the building that promotes following the rules and not bullying classmates.

"The posters are meant to spread the word, which is what we'd like to see," Prior said. "Other groups around school have helped as well. There are a lot of ways to get the word out. It's nice to see it get around."

In October, White Boomer said the committee also helped celebrate Red Ribbon Week, which promotes tobacco, drugs and violence prevention and awareness. The committees are currently holding a school-wide poster contest. In December, they will conduct a survey to collect data and hear what problems students may have. They're also planning activities for the school's "Kindness Month."

Costello added that the committee has shared some of the concerns and ideas with staff members.

"Teachers are thankful to hear about what's going on and what to watch out for," Costello said.

In addition to correcting misbehavior, the committees focus on utilizing positive response.

White Boomer said addressing problems with a positive response can improve a learning environment.

One of Prior's ideas to spread positivity and reward good behavior is through learning videos, which he watched during his time at Sunset Elementary School, or a weekly newscast, similar to the "Hawks News" broadcasts at Salnave Elementary School.

"When you show how positive you are, you're showing that you care as opposed to showing anger," Prior said. "Being positive to others opens their heart. You're also setting an example and showing others what kind of person they can be."

Al Stover can be reached at al@cheneyfreepress.com.