In an exciting move to enhance student engagement, the school’s staff has kicked up their PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) program, adding the VIC (Very Important Clipper) lounge to the mix.

After starting the PBIS more than a year ago to increase kindness and decrease negative behaviors, Madison Kurtz, one of four teachers credited for the lounge, explained students can earn PBIS points for demonstrating positive behavior and use those points towards rewards, like popcorn, soda, candy, school supplies and fidgets.

A student can cash in 20 points to spend a whole class period in the VIC lounge, which has video games, couches and other exciting types of engagement.

Grades have the opportunity to redeem their points every two weeks; however, many students do elect to hold them over.

From left, fifth-grader Ethan Kryz plays a video game with his science and social studies teacher Caleb Sims during the grade’s visit to the VIC Lounge at Columbiana Middle School. Apparently beating Sims’ scores is a big achievement, according to his teaching colleagues. (Photo by Stephanie Ujhelyi)

At the nine weeks’ mark, youth in the highest point tier do have a bigger payoff. They get the spend a half day in the lounge.

Teachers agree that they are learning important life skills through the program, and the district hops to introduce it to Joshua Dixon Elementary School next.

An electronic basketball game and bean bags also make it the perfect place to relax and enjoy your lunch.

With these exciting additions, Columbiana Middle School is ensuring that students stay motivated, engaged, and proud of their accomplishments, explained the district in a press release.

Jason Martin’s building principal fund also was a key contributor to the program, the teachers noted.

Columbiana Middle School’s Team PBIS/VIC includes Kristen Orr, Morgan Sauerwein, Riley Fridley and Madison Kurtz, pose in front of a wall within the VIC (Very Important Clipper) Lounge that bares the signature of all Columbiana Middle School’s students. New ones will be added as new students are added, explained Kurtz. (Photo by Stephanie Ujhelyi)

Kurtz, along with another team member are graduates of South Range High School and both reminisced about the experiences they earned for positive behaviors when in school and they hope their students recall similar memories.

South Range used to give out free passes to the Skate Zone and had miniature Blizzards from Dairy Queen in the office for rewarded students.

“We’re trying to recognize their positive actions. Since the PBIS program, our referrals to the office have been cut in half,” she added. “This lounge gives them something to look forward to and an outlet during the day to refocus.”

Now a fifth-grade intervention specialist, Kurtz was honored along with her fellow team members, teachers Morgan Sauerwein, Riley Fridley and Kristen Orr, with the March Key Clipper award for their efforts on behalf of the VIC lounge.

They were quick to thank the school’s PTO, community members and fellow staff members, who helped the lounge possible through donations.

From left, fifth-grade students enjoy their lunch in the VIC (Very Important Clipper) lounge with teacher Caleb Sims as they play video games. (Photo by Stephanie Ujhelyi)

“The store and lounge wouldn’t be as big of a success without the support of our community,” Kurtz said. ” Our team meets monthly to collaborate and come up with new ideas and strategies to best serve our students.”

District Superintendent Donald Mook explained when introducing the Key Clipper honorees at the board’s most recent meeting that the women were committed to building a school culture centered around respect, responsibility and kindness, working tirelessly to design and execute systems that promote positive behavior and provide consistent support for students.

“Yes, we do push the academics at Columbiana Middle School, but we also want to give them the chance to chill too,” Kurtz concluded.

sujhelyi@mojonews.com