“I think it is a wonderful idea,” says Mrs. Flowers, “I like seeing students get rewarded and it could cause others to behave.”

PBIS is an approach to help students have better behavior.  It has already been used in many schools across the country.  In every school it works differently.    

The way PBIS works in Chapin is through Claw Cash.  When a student gets Claw Cash they can turn it in for food at the cafeteria.  “Claw Cash is a good way to show the three R’s,” says Senior Brent Frick, “I wish I had some.” 

Mrs. Gilbert and Mrs. Dawn Weathersbee, two of the people who attended the conference that set up the Claw Cash program, believe that it is a good way to recognize those who don’t get recognized. 

“All people like to be recognized for their good deeds,” says Weathersbee, “but this way, teachers can reward them however they see fit.”  Mrs. Gilbert asks students, “Would you go to work if you didn’t get paid?  This way, students will have more incentive to do what they should.”

While there are many people in favor of Claw Cash, there are those who think that it has its problems. 

“It seems like a good idea, but its way too limited,” says Junior Simon Leiby.  Chapin is currently working on increasing the rewards available. Taco Bell and Bojangles, along with Chick-fil-A and Wal-mart, were recently added to the places that Claw Cash can be used but do not try to redeem Claw Cash directly for a Burrito Supreme or Wal-mart gas card.  Students can trade their Claw Cash for coupons by seeing visiting Mrs. Angela Broadway’s office in the library.  Inspired by a student suggestion, the administration is looking at a way to redeem Claw Cash for printing or copying services in the Media Center.  Recently there has even been talk of a student lounge with Nintendo Wii systems and televisions.

Limitations are a concern for some but others are worried the program sends the wrong message to students. 

Freshman Weston Land says, “People shouldn’t be getting a reward for what they already should be doing.” 

Mr. Ross, on the other hand, believes that it is not for doing what they already should do.  “Claw Cash is meant to recognize the good students,” says Ross.  “They get this for going above and beyond what they should normally do.”

“The best part of this system,” says Mrs. Gilbert, “is that it is more of an unexpected reward.”

 “The point of Claw Cash,” says Mr. Ross, “is to turn attention away from the negative and towards the positive at Chapin High School.”