This school year, Zemmer Middle School students are having fun and learning about how positive behaviors can benefit them every day. The BARK Code and BARK Bucks are a part of the new initiative at Zemmer to promote the school’s Positive Behavior Incentives and Support (PBIS) program.

PBIS is a team-based framework for creating and sustaining safe and effective schools. The staff at Zemmer is devoted to preventing problem behaviors and developing positive social skills among students. School-wide PBIS increases the capacity of schools to educate all students utilizing research-based school-wide, classroom and individualized interventions.

“Our BARK code alongside our BARK Buck Positive Behavior Support program are the keystone to our Student Success Goal in our School Improvement Plan,” said Zemmer Principal Matt Olson. “We strongly believe that fostering a positive school atmosphere is fundamental to generating academic success for our students.”

Students earn BARK Bucks by displaying the positive behaviors that are identified in the BARK Code. They can be redeemed for a range of incentives such as:  free admission to sporting events, classroom/school-wide Bark Buck stores, and weekly/monthly drawings for gift cards to local businesses.

Recently, Zemmer students participated in a BARK assembly with fun competitions between classes and with staff members. The theme of the competition was “Minute to win it,” noting that it takes very little time to make a positive choice.

Members of each class had the opportunity to have their names drawn out of the hopper for iTunes cards and gift certificates from Meijer.

“I’m so proud of the hard work that our staff and students have put into this program,” Olson said. “I’m also grateful for the great support we have gotten from our community businesses partners who are helping to sponsor the program through providing incentives and rewards for the great things our students do.”