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Middle school students are being singled out for their good behavior at Warner Middle School with the creation of the Positive Behavior Support (PBS) program.

“Any staff member---teacher, cafeteria worker, custodian---who witnesses a student living up to our positive behavior expectations are given a Buc Buck,” says WMS Counselor Jill Erwin. “The students can then buy something from our school store or enter our weekly drawing to win a selected item, such as a varsity jacket gasoline card, gift certificates, etc.”

The top choice by students, surprisingly she adds, remains basic school supplies such as mechanical pencils, spiral notebooks and erasers.

The targeted behaviors in the program include being respectful, honest, prepared, on time or responsible. One trait is highlighted each week in cafeteria displays.

“It can be as simple as helping another student pick up a fallen book,” she adds.

The PBS program also highlights a word of the week, says WMS Teacher Donna Mayes, such as friendship, kindness, compliant, etc. Descriptions of the word are posted in the cafeteria, discussed by teachers in students’ home bases and shared through overhead announcements.

A sponsor board in the school’s main hallway displays the many local sponsors---including school staff, Trophy Sports Center, Pizza Hut, McDonalds, Subby’s, Tim Horton’s, Super Cuts, Sam’s Club, WalMart, LaRosas, A Cut Above, Xenia YMCA, Toys R Us, Frisch’s, Moto Photo, Subway and Krogers of Xenia.

Open from 6:50 to 7:25 a.m., Tuesday through Friday, the school store is stocked with snacks, stickers, school supplies, t-shirts, erasers and more.

“We have students who literally save or hoard their Buc Bucks so they can select the item they want,” Mayes says.

Each staff member is given 25 Buc Bucks each month but can request more as needed. Each student was given one Buc Bucks at the Warner Open House at the beginning of the school year.

“We’ve started small,” Erwin says, “but the program has gone so well this year we know we can expand next year. “It’s been a positive experience for both students and staff.”

Warner Middle School Jill Erwin turns in a Buck Buc to teacher Donna Mayes as the school store.