The Positive Office: Holmes Middle School honored for sending students to principal’s office — for good

Holmes Middle School received special recognition from the Kentucky Department of Education for a program that sends students to the principal’s office for being good.

The Positive Office Referrals program was one of 16 Best Practice Winners chosen by KDE at the 2024 Continuous Improvement Summit and announced in the Northern Kentucky Tribune last week.

Here’s how the Positive Office works — and is creating “a more positive place to learn and grow.”

Principal Lee Turner and Behavior Coach Andy Price presented the procedure used at Holmes Middle School as a way to continue improving school culture.

Positive Office Referrals are used to find and recognize the many students who always do the right thing academically and behaviorally and provide individualized rewards and contact to the families and guardians of the student.

Each step in the Positive Office Referral process is congruent with the process the staff follows when a student receives a disciplinary referral.

“We asked ourselves, ‘Are we doing enough to show appreciation for our students who come to school every day ready to achieve at high levels and exemplify what it means to be a Bulldog?'” said Price. “As we continue to grow as a school, we will continue to find new and better ways to celebrate and show our gratitude to these students and their families.”

As a result of Positive Office Referrals, more students are being recognized and rewarded for exemplifying what it means to be a Bulldog, and “going to the office” doesn’t always mean getting in trouble.

“Our school is a more encouraging place to learn and grow, and our families are beginning to know how much we appreciate their efforts to emphasize the importance of education as well,” added Price.

Covington Superintendent Alvin Garrison said that he is proud of the work that Holmes Middle School is doing.

“The middle school, under the leadership of Principal Turner and Mr. Price, is transforming its culture to prioritize students,” Garrison said.

The recognition from KDE included a $500 check to be used for school improvement.

In 2013, KDE launched the Best Practices and Sustainability website, designed to serve as a clearinghouse to promote practices that motivate, engage and provide measurable results in student learning, achievement and school/district processes.

The website supports teachers, administrators, district personnel and any other education advocates seeking strategies that have been proven successful in a variety of settings.

KDE has identified effective practices that improve student performance and promote practices for educators to improve educational opportunities for all children. It makes annual awards to the top “best practices” programs in the state.

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