NW Student/Family Support Resources
February 2021
Parenting Skills: Setting Boundaries, Positive Reinforcement, Quality time, OK to say NO, Giving attention

SUPPORTING FAMILIES WITH PBIS

WHAT IS PBIS?
PBIS can be effectively used at home too and is especially helpful when events disrupt normal routines (e.g., worldwide health pandemics, natural disasters, extended breaks).
PBIS TIP- Set Home Expectations for all K-12 students
For example, your child’s school might ask students to “Be Respectful” (what’s expected) in the classroom (where it’s expected) by raising their hand before speaking (the desired behavior). .
These expectations can be adapted by families to fit the home setting. Examples of an expectations table for home and school are below

How to incorporate PBIS at home.
At Northwest Community Schools, the PBIS matrix expectations are taught and posted throughout each building including transportation. Here are 5 steps to help parents set up a similar matrix framework to help family members know what is expected of them at home.
Download the printable matrix PDF and follow the steps below:
Begin with identifying the behavioral atmosphere of your home.
Hold a family conference.
- Family meetings tend to have a bad reputation because most families only hold them when there is something wrong.
- In this meeting, begin with what the household is doing well. Be positive and specific. After discussing the positive social behaviors, ask household members to identify behaviors that could use improvement, and provide some of your own observations as needed.
Create your own family matrix together.
- Be sure to include everyone’s input. Studies show that when children are given an opportunity to help make rules and expectations in the home, they are more likely to keep them. You can find a blank template here.
Set rewards when expectations are met.
- Rewards help motivate household members to keep the rules and expectations of the home. Every family is different and will need to be creative in what rewards create motivation.
- As you implement the PBIS family matrix in your home, you’ll find over time what works and what doesn’t. Just like in our schools, the clearer the expectations are, the more likely they’ll be followed.

Reading is Important!
Check out these resources for parents and students:
NWCS Technology Security
See our previous newsletters for more resources
NW Tip Line Students and parents can report concerns or give feedback with ease through the NWCS Mobile App and on our website at www.nwschools.org 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. These concerns are reported directly to our NW Admin Team. | OK2SAY- State of MichiganAnyone can report tips confidentially on criminal activities or potential harm directed at students, school employees, or schools. Tips can be submitted 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. | Most Teens Don't Most Teens Don't is a youth social norming campaign in Jackson County, MI. Our goal is to reduce the amount of substance use/abuse in Jackson Co.The campaign is ran by students in schools throughout Jackson County. Our goal is to prove that Most Teens Don't engage in dangerous behaviors like substance use. |
NW Tip Line
OK2SAY- State of Michigan
Anyone can report tips confidentially on criminal activities or potential harm directed at students, school employees, or schools.
Tips can be submitted 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.