Westonka Primary Schools Honored for Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports

Hilltop and Shirley Hills primary schools will be honored this summer by the Minnesota Department of Education for relentless and positive efforts to Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS). The state-wide recognition will take place at the Summer Institute and Sustaining Exemplar Ceremony on August 12.

PBIS is an evidence-based framework for preventing problem behavior, providing instruction and support for positive and cooperative behaviors, and supporting the social, emotional, and behavioral needs of all students. By creating a positive school climate and culture, PBIS has been shown to improve student outcomes, reduce disciplinary incidents, and increase student engagement. 

“It is such an honor for Hilltop to be recognized as a Minnesota PBIS Exemplar School!” said Hilltop Dean of Students John Wardlow. “It is truly the result of a collaborative effort from all staff—office, food service, bus drivers, custodial, para support, and all the educators and teachers in the building to be a PBIS school.”

Student achievement goes beyond specials, reading, and math—it also includes student behaviors, and the PBIS framework helps students succeed.  “When we see growth in social and emotional learning, it is also reflected in other areas,” said  Shirley Hills Dean of Students Beth Hausladen. “It takes a partnership between students, families, and staff to make this happen!” 

The purpose of Minnesota PBIS Sustaining Exemplar Recognition is to identify and recognize exemplar schools that have completed PBIS implementation and are continuing to achieve positive student outcomes. These schools and districts demonstrated exemplary status by sustaining school-wide PBIS (SW-PBIS) with fidelity in the 2025-26 school year.