Press

The Benedictine Health Foundation provided funding to Kingston High School to support a new Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) initiative.

PBIS is a proactive systems approach to encouraging students to care for themselves and one another, and is designed to create a school culture where all students can achieve social, emotional, and academic success. The PBIS framework identifies desired target behaviors, defines them in specific school settings, and provides a process for staff to teach, model, recognize, and reinforce those behaviors.  KHS will focus on teamwork, integrity, grace, empathy, respect and safety (TIGERS).  The strategy has already been piloted in several KCSD elementary schools, and began at KHS this September.

Close to 200 faculty and staff members from Kingston High School gathered on the front steps of KHS on the first day wearing “KHS-PBIS” t-shirts.  The visual impact of having hundreds of teachers carrying the same positive message on their shirt served to raise awareness amongst staff and students about this important effort.

For the past two years, Benedictine Health Foundation’s Kick for Mental Health Kickball Tournament held in June has helped raise funds needed to support adolescent mental health services, raising approximately $23,000 this year.

Amy Kapes, a KHS social worker, knows these efforts will have a lasting impact on students. “The Benedictine Health Foundation has helped us provide opportunities for students to build critical social-emotional and coping skills and participate in pro-social activities that build self-esteem and confidence.  KHS is grateful for their ongoing support of PBIS and programs for teens in our community.”

For further information about the Benedictine Health Foundation, visit www.benedictinehealthfoundation or call, Barbara Klassen, Executive Director, at (845) 481-1303.

Photo: KHS Faculty & Staff wear “KHS- PBIS” Shirts