PBIS in the Parks

Through an initiative of Comprehensive Service Integration (CSI) of Fond du Lac County, Inc., Hamilton and Lakeside Parks in the City of Fond du Lac and Village and Optimist Parks in North Fond du Lac will be the first to display the signage that reinforces the message that many of Fond du Lac’s children are familiar with: “Be Respectful, Be Responsible, Be Safe”.

This language comes from the Positive Behavior Intervention Support (PBIS) program within the Fond du Lac School District. PBIS is a research-based, school-wide system of discipline based on the belief that appropriate behaviors can be taught.

CSI is a local organization that strives to improve the social, emotional, and mental well-being of Fond du Lac County residents throughout the lifespan. One focus area of CSI is to support safe school environments and violence prevention efforts. This particular group, who has representatives from the Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Department and the Fond du Lac Police Department, has created “PBIS in the Parks” and is hoping to bring the successes of the PBIS program to Fond du Lac’s playgrounds.

John Redmond, Fond du Lac’s Parks and Forestry Superintendent, has provided valuable input to this project in order to ensure its successful implementation. Mr. Redmond shared, “The City of Fond du Lac Park Department is happy to have PBIS in our parks. Fortunately the City has had few problems in our playgrounds. This program will help reinforce positive behavior, to ensure all children have an enjoyable time.” Another partner in this project is Domino’s Pizza. They have donated coupons for free parm bites for law enforcement to hand out to kids who are "caught" following park expectations.

“PBIS is clearly practiced in the Fond du Lac School District, therefore, the decision to develop a PBIS expectation sign that will be posted in the community and City Parks, encourages our youth to continue to practice in the community what they’ve already learned in school. Fond du Lac continues to be a fabulous place to live, play and recreate and with this signage, setting the same behavior expectations for everyone else, will provide the same guidelines for behavior throughout our community,” shared Mark Strand, Chief Deputy, Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s department.

PBIS is not just for schools and community. Many parents find that what students learn from PBIS in school carries over to promote positive behavior at home. Get involved by contacting your child’s school to learn about PBIS implementation both in school and at home. For more information on PBIS and CSI, or to become involved, please visit csifdl.org or contact Megan Harshbarger, CSI Program Coordinator, at (920) 906-6715.



BACK