Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supports

For the past several months Petaluma City School educators have met to discuss the need for behavior support and restorative systems in our schools. The end result from our PCS staff and School Board is a commitment to PBIS to create safe and predictable environments for our students and staff.

What are Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports?


PBIS is a process for creating safer and more effective schools. It is a systems approach to enhancing the capacity of schools to educate all children by developing research-based, school-wide, and classroom behavior support systems. The process focuses on improving a school’s ability to teach and support positive behavior for all students. Rather than a prescribed program, PBIS provides systems for schools to design, implement, and evaluate effective school-wide, classroom, non-classroom, and student specific plans. PBIS includes school-wide procedures and processes intended for all students and all staff in all settings. PBIS is not a program or a curriculum. It is a team-based process for systemic problem solving, planning, and evaluation. It is an approach to creating a safe and productive learning environment where teachers can teach and all students can learn.

Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) is an evidence-based, tiered framework that supports students’ behavioral, academic, social, emotional, and mental health. When implemented with fidelity, PBIS improves social emotional competence, academic success, and school climate. It also improves teacher health and wellbeing. It is a way to create positive, predictable, equitable and safe learning environments where everyone thrives.

What you will begin to see around schools are posters and signs reminding students of rules and procedures. There will be a greater emphasis on teaching and modeling behavior expectations for students.

Providing PBIS and Restorative Practices on our schools sites will support our PCS Board Goals:

All student scholars will experience an excellent, diverse, equitable, and inclusive education. (Board Goal 1)

Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP) goal:

All students will learn in a healthy, safe, and welcoming environment that fosters equity and inclusion. (LCAP Goal 2)

PBIS Website