State officials have recognized Wheeling Park High School as a “Tier 1 Model School” for its approach to improving behavior. (File Photo)

WHEELING — Wheeling Park High School regularly rewards students if they are “positive, attentive, respectful and keep going,” and state officials have taken notice.

WPHS has been named a 2022-23 West Virginia PBIS Tier 1 Model School by the West Virginia Behavior/Mental Health Technical Assistance Center (WVBMHTAC).

The WVBMHTAC oversees, in addition to other initiatives, the state’s school-wide Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) project — which seeks to improve the culture and behaviors in school buildings.

WPHS has been involved with the PBIS project for five years, according to Principal Meredith Dailer. Students who are seen being helpful to a teacher, showing respect for a classmate or the building, or working hard to overcome an obstacle have their names placed in a weekly drawing.

Winners in the drawings receive WPHS merchandise, Wheeling Park pool passes or gift cards to local businesses.

“We have seen negative behaviors decrease,” Dailer said. “This program provides a common language for expectations in the buildings.”

There has been a significant increase in student attendance since the program started, and students are “coming to school on time,” she continued.

The acknowledgment of WPHS from the WVBMHTAC encourages other schools to seek out training on PBIS through WPHS.

Dailer said she has already been conducting training sessions in her office with principals from other areas who want to implement the program.

“Wheeling Park High School, along with principal Mrs. Meredith Dailer and her PBIS team, surpassed our standards to be awarded this recognition,” the WVBMHTAC said in a released statement.

“At the site visit with the WV PBIS Leadership team, Wheeling Park High School’s journey to building a consistent PBIS framework was highlighted by the fact that all the essential features of PBIS are fully embedded in all aspects of Wheeling Park High. The staff and students are fully committed to the expectations of ‘positive, attentive, respectful, and keep going. The staff and students at WPHS truly live their motto of ‘We Are PARK’

“It was clear that positive behavior is explicitly taught, commended and celebrated. Beyond that the administration, team, and staff are clearly focused on their data and work together to problem-solve with high levels of communication and feedback.”