By Isabella Torres ‘24
The 2023-2024 school year at Conestoga Valley High School has been about change. Whether the rules are liked or disliked by the students, the policies are put into place to create a positive school culture.
CVHS in the past three years has struggled to control the large fights that plagued the halls between classes. The past administration had focused on cracking down on loitering and hallway use to combat the issue.
While the new administration has created more strict rules and enforced them this year, they have also focused on creating initiatives that spotlight the positive rather than focusing on the negative.
PBIS or Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports, is a new district wide policy that is being implemented with the beginning of the 2023-2024 school year. This policy is meant to shine a brighter light on the positive behaviors exhibited by the students and staff throughout the district.
Part of this new policy are lessons that occur Wednesday during fourth block classes that teach students about CV’s three school rules: be safe, be respectful, and be responsible. This is similar to the Character Strong lessons taught last year.
Positive behavior is being rewarded at the high school through raffle drawings. Teachers or staff give out “CV Bucks” to those they see exhibiting safety, responsibility, and respect.
Even within the first three months of school, students themselves can see the positive change. “I think that the system of rewarding students is encouraging good behavior, and I do see people holding each other more accountable…” Senior Alison Harner said when interviewed.
With a new school policy, a new job position was also created. Spearheading the new initiative is Mrs Samberg. She is a former English teacher and the current co-advisor for the Women’s Leadership Alliance.
Kiley Justiniano (12) commented, “I’ve known Samberg for a number of years…she’s the type of teacher that will get stuff done, especially when implementing new ideas in the school that could help out many students.”
Mrs. Samberg is the PBIS District Coach. She represents and supports the middle and high schools. She is also in charge of the high school PBIS team and trains the teachers on the concepts and tools for establishing the behavior.
“I love advocating for us at the district level. I love helping people and being an agent of change,” Mrs. Samberg explained.
Conestoga Valley High school is at a turning point that can lead to being more student friendly and focusing on creating a fun but safe community.