Pau-Wa-Lu Middle School: Digital Recognition, Real Motivation

Through a generous grant received three years ago, Pau-Wa-Lu implemented PBIS Rewards—a digital platform that allows staff to track and reinforce student behavior in real time. The program has been a game-changer, making it easy to reward students across campus for everything from staying on task to helping a friend.

“PBIS Rewards allows me to have instant positive reinforcement for students participating in expected behaviors,” said teacher Krystal Koontz. “It builds positive relationships with students. PBIS Rewards helps me to focus on the good happening in my classroom and look for students who follow our expected behaviors in school.”

Points can be redeemed in multiple ways, including entry into raffles, quarterly experiences, or at the ever-popular Panther Cart—a mobile store that rolls out bi-weekly during lunch. The cart offers rotating, student-suggested items like fidget rings, stress balls, school supplies, and even wireless mice and mouse pads. One student recently cashed in 100 points for 50 pencils, explaining, “I keep losing pencils so I am going to stock up.”

Quarterly events are another favorite among students, with past rewards including dodgeball tournaments, painting sessions, and cookie decorating. Up next: a frozen yogurt or shaved ice treat in the courtyard. “You can bet students are saving up for it,” said EPIC Coach Jennifer Worthington.

Occasional raffles give students the opportunity to win fun prizes like LEGO sets, Bluetooth speakers, inflatable couches, and plush stuffed animals—with just a small number of points. It’s a high-reward, low-barrier way to keep all students engaged.

Panther point leaders recently crossed the 300-point mark—that’s 300 individual moments of recognition for positive behavior. Science teacher Danita Anderson explains, “PBIS rewards is a great way to acknowledge the awesome students in our classroom who are engaged and participating. As teachers we don't always get the chance to tell these students immediately, PBIS rewards allows us to write a comment to the student and personally let them know we appreciate them."

PBIS has helped create a positive, supportive environment at Pau-Wa-Lu, where students feel seen, celebrated, and motivated to do their best.

Minden Elementary School: Whole-Class Rewards and Community Connection

Minden Elementary School has embraced PBIS for many years, encouraging students to consistently demonstrate safe, respectful, and responsible behavior. At MES, the approach includes both individual and whole-class recognition, making it a truly community-building experience.

Entire classrooms earn “snakes” when they receive compliments or demonstrate positive behavior as a group. These snakes are added to a chart, and once complete, the class earns a special reward tied to the school’s annual theme. This year, students are participating in drum-making sessions with Principal Mr. Fromdahl as part of the school’s “Rock on Rattlers!” theme.

Students also receive individual tickets as daily reinforcement for positive behavior. These can be saved and spent monthly in the PBIS store or used to access special experiences—like Galaxy Ball or sipping Shamrock Shakes with friends. The excitement around these experiences creates a sense of anticipation and fun that motivates students to meet behavioral expectations.

MES also hosts regular Student Recognition Assemblies every six weeks to spotlight academic achievements across all classrooms, further reinforcing student success in multiple ways.

The next big PBIS event at MES is scheduled for May: Capture the Chicken, where students from all grade levels—and even staff—will compete in a fun game for just 15 saved tickets. “The ability to socialize with students of other grades creates positive connections in our MES community,” staff shared. At the end of the year, students will also participate in a raffle using any remaining tickets, offering one last chance to celebrate the positive choices made all year long.

MES staff added, “Our hope is to foster intrinsic motivation in students. We want them to strive to be the best version of themselves and exemplify Rattler values.”

Both Pau-Wa-Lu and Minden Elementary show how PBIS can be uniquely tailored to fit a school’s culture and student needs—while reinforcing the same district-wide message: positive choices matter, and they deserve to be recognized.