At Lucketts Elementary School, fostering a sense of belonging is not just a goal but a daily practice. Research shows that when students feel they belong at school, they are more engaged, more motivated to learn and more likely to develop positive relationships with peers and adults. This year, the school has strengthened that commitment by expanding its Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) House System.
The PBIS House System places students and staff into six unique houses, each with its own identity and spirit. Through regular house meetings, shared goals and friendly competitions, the system encourages students to support one another, build relationships across grade levels and take pride in their collective achievements. According to the Center on PBIS, schools implementing PBIS with fidelity see improved student behavior and stronger academic outcomes while also reducing discipline disparities among student groups.
To symbolize this unity, Lucketts Elementary recently unveiled a community tree in its cafeteria. At the first house meeting of the year, every student and staff member created a personalized leaf bearing their name. These leaves were then added to the tree, transforming it into a powerful visual representation: Six Houses, One Family.
Principal Laura Ganley said the tree reflects the heart of the school’s vision. “This tree is more than decoration. It is a daily reminder that every child and adult at Lucketts Elementary belongs here,” Ganley said. “Whether you are in Red Maple, Green Pine, Yellow Birch, Orange Dogwood, Purple Oak or Blue Spruce, you are part of something bigger. Our goal is for students to know they are seen, supported and celebrated every day and for families to feel that same sense of connection.”
As the school year unfolds, the tree will continue to grow just like the connections among students and staff. With initiatives like these, Lucketts Elementary is not only teaching academic excellence but also nurturing empathy, inclusion and community. Research indicates that when PBIS is implemented consistently across classrooms and grade levels, it strengthens school climate and increases students’ sense of safety and belonging, outcomes that Lucketts Elementary is striving to make a reality.