September 19, 2025 – Mexico School District is proud to announce that Hawthorne and Eugene Field Elementary Schools have received the PBIS Tier 3 Award of Excellence from the Heart of Missouri Regional Professional Development Center (RPDC).

This recognition honors schools that provide high-quality, data-driven positive behavior  supports for all students, including individualized interventions for those with the most intensive needs.

The PBIS system stems from the Missouri Schoolwide Positive Behavior Support (MO SW-PBS). It’s a framework to help schools build safer, more positive and effective learning environments. 

Earning Tier 3 status means both schools have fully implemented levels one and two of Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) — from setting clear expectations for every student to providing targeted and individualized behavior plans when needed.

PBIS helps make schools calmer and safer by cutting down on discipline problems and encouraging positive behavior. This means classrooms run more smoothly and students can focus on learning.

The system is three‐tiered:

• Tier 1 (Universal) — supports and systems for all students to promote good behavior and prevent issues.
• Tier 2 (Targeted) — more focused supports for students who need extra help beyond Tier 1.
• Tier 3 (Intensive / Individualized) — supports for the relatively small number of students whose behavioral needs are not adequately met by universal or Tier 2 supports. This involves individualized behavior plans, functional assessments, etc. 

Hawthorne Principal Katie Lehnen shared, “For PBIS to be implemented effectively it takes everyone involved.  This award recognizes the collaboration and work of classroom teachers, staff, interventions, students and families in supporting our students in becoming the best versions of themselves. We are proud of the positive, supportive learning environments we are able building for our students and families.”

The PBIS Tiered Awards recognize schools that are models of effective schoolwide systems and can serve as examples for other schools across Missouri.

More information about PBIS in Missouri.