Schools focus on anti-bullying and positive behavior

NEENAH - In addition to the regular elementary curriculum, students at Lakeview Elementary are getting a few other lessons, starting in the first week of school.

"Teaching behaviors, what's actually expected of a student versus just assuming they know how to behave or what's expected of them," said Lakeview principal Mary Renning.

As part of the Positive Behavior Intervention Support (PBIS), students are going through a series of stations, learning what the expected behaviors are for areas such as hallways, bathrooms, the cafeteria and playground.

"A little bit was stuff I knew and some was stuff I didn't know," said Logan Morrow, a Lakeview 4th grader. "Not always to be screaming to people across the (cafeteria). If you want somebody to sit by you and just wave at them and not yell."

Other schools have implemented the PBIS program. It is part of larger anti-bullying effort by the state. Starting this school year, all public schools are required to report any instances of bullying, as well as have a set program, such as PBIS.

"I haven't seen it ever, but I know some people have had it happen," said 4th grader Olivia Mauk about bullying. "People aren't going to be running so it's not like people are going to accidentally do it, so they don't think they're going to do it."

Renning says the school has never had a problem with bullying but hopes the new program will make expected behaviors easier to apply. The school has made the PBIS program its own, playing off of its logo, the Lasers.

"They came up with the BEAM," said Renning. "Lakeview Lasers BEAM with respect for themselves, others and learning."

Students can earn different BEAM rewards with displays of respect, from classrooms getting the "Traveling Trophy," to students winning drawings for lunches with teachers.

The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction says the state is one of the first to promote policies on bullying.