The Greene County Middle School is shifting its focus slightly this year to bring more awareness to positivity. 

Principal Shawn Zanders says not only are they looking toward a more normal year coming off of a pandemic, but to instill a concentration on highlighting when students do something positive and show positive behavior, which he believes starts with improved communication. 

“Making sure that we’re not just communicating with parents at homes and community when things aren’t going well and asking for help, but being proactive and saying, ‘Hey, I really liked how your son or daughter did X, Y or Z, we couldn’t be more appreciative of that.’ And I think that makes all of us as parents puff up a little bit and feel good about what’s going on. That’s the kind of scenario we want to set. So that kids are more used to being recognized for doing good things than for doing things we’d rather they not do.”

Zanders points out they have a few different ways to support that endeavor with trained staff on using the Positive Behavioral Intervention and Supports (PBIS) as well as the RAMS initiative with being “Respectful, Accept responsibility, Make safe choices and Support for students doing the right thing.” Zanders believes they have community and parental support for kids to do well in school and by highlighting the positives will help keep kids doing well while at school.