On a recent visit to Meeting House Hill School, I entered a learning environment surrounded by positive supports for students. Meeting House Hill School has been participating in the State Personnel Development Grant (SPDG), offered through the State Education Resource Center (SERC), since 2012. The goal of this initiative is to build capacity and establish a continuum of academic and behavioral supports.

Meeting House Hill School has been focusing on positive behavioral interventions and supports (PBIS) with support from SERC. The school’s commitment to PBIS is evident from the moment you walk into the school. Assistant Principal James Mandracchia has created a bulletin board that highlights the school’s expectations. The students contributed designs for the posters on the bulletin board, demonstrating their engagement in PBIS.

The MHHS Motto is “Make the Effort, Have Respect and Integrity, Help Others, and Stay Safe.” Students earn eagle tickets individually when displaying appropriate MHHS behaviors, and earn incentives together as a class and school. Currently, the students are working together for an outside concert headlining a teacher band.

My visit to Meeting House Hill School revealed that its hard work, commitment, and student and staff engagement has paid off and created an environment that is welcoming!

Submitted by Amanda Johnston