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Tuesday, December 13, 2016 Ulla F Muller students attend a pep rally to roll out the school's Positive Be- havior Support and Interventions initiative on Nov. 30 on St. Thomas. Ulla F. Muller students pledge good behavior Ulla F Muller Elementary School rolled out its Panther PRIDE Positive Behavior Support and Interventions (PBIS) initiative at a pep rally at the school on Noy. 30. The fun, high-ener- gy event laid the groundwork to teach students the behaviors that make up a positive school environment. Administrators taught the students the core values of the school through PRIDE: P — positive behaviors, R — respect, I — individual responsibility, D — determination and E — excellence. Students held signs depicting the val- ues while Muller cheerleaders and the Boys & Girls Club performed to rally around the cause. St. Thomas-St. John PBIS district coach Darian Torrice-Hairston, who is assigned to Ulla F. Muller Elementary, praised the event. “As the PBIS dis- trict coach for Ulla F Muller Elemen- tary School, I have certainly caught the Panther PRIDE! It was evident that the administration, staff and students exhibited their Positive Behavior, Re- spect, Individual Responsibility, Deter- mination and Excellence. PBIS and its strategies are a priority at Muller and they are working hard to implement the program as it fits their school,” she said Following the rally, teachers will continue to instill the Panther PRIDE principles in students on a daily ba- (KARA sis as well as demonstrate what Pan- ther PRIDE looks in each area of the school. School staff will integrate the Panther PRIDE language into daily routines to encourage students to strive for excellence. The PBIS initiative is rooted in evi- dence-based practices meant to increase behavioral and academic outcomes by improving school climate, preventing problematic behavior, increasing learn- ing time and promoting positive social skills. Up to five members from each school were selected to attend training facilitated by PBIS coaches from the state and district. School representatives were tasked with producing positive be- havior values unique to their institutions and introduce them to teachers and stu- dents. The goal of the PBIS initiative is to focus on what the students do right, rather than on what they do wrong to help encourage the repetition of good behavior. As Muller Elementary continues to support its students through PBIS, additional phases of the initiative will be introduced, such as a positive re- ward system as well as ceremonies to celebrate student and staff success. With the help of the district coach, Muller’s in-house PBIS task force will guide the PBIS initiative to sup- port the school. ERS Wholesale & Retail ISLAND LIFE The Virgin Islands Daily News 25 id vue he Central High School students that participated in this year’s “Close Up Washington” trip to Washington, D.C., include Ethaliah Henry, Jenna Malcomb, Nathan McGregor, Destiny Stout, Martisha Charles, Pellis Leonard, Franchel Ro- driguez, Jayla Norman, Khaiel James and N’Quelle Golden. History teacher Ericka Hansen is the Close Up adviser. Students get ‘close up’ with democracy Students enrolled in the St. Croix Central High School Close Up orga- nization recently returned from the na- tion’s capital where they attended the Close Up Washington flagship pro- gram. The group of 11 traveled Nov. 13-19 and joined with other Close Up high school chapters from across the country to learn about the American democratic process. Central High School history teacher and Close Up advisor Ericka Hansen took 10 students on the annual trip, which gives high school students and educators an inside look at their democ- racy in action. Using the nation’s capital as their living classroom, program par- ticipants get a “close up” view of gov- ernment processes and places that make the district unique and functional. Students visited the Washington Monument, Martin Luther King Me- HOUSE_OVERSIGHT_014511 morial, the Smithsonian, U.S. Capi- tol, Arlington National Cemetery, the White House and more. Students also participated in political discussions and met with members of Congress. The program provided social activities for the students in the evening. Founded in 1971, the Close Up orga- nization has provided more than 825,000 students with educational tours about government and the political processes. “Where We “Express “Your Gmation Ghrough Flowers. www.flowers.vi ¢ (340) 774-9370 Frenchtown Plaza © across from the Frenchtown Post Office All major credit cards accepted and worldwide deliveries