Connecting The Positivity Project and PBIS at Clio Middle School

This article was written by Erin Hoop, School Counselor at Clio Middle School in the Clio Area School District in Michigan. Erin is in her sixth year in education and works with students from 6th to 8th grade. Clio Middle Schools runs The Positivity Project (P2) via a daily 30-minute Advisory period. 

The Positivity Project (P2) has been a wonderful curriculum for Clio Middle School. This year, we have integrated P2 into our daily Advisory class so that every middle school student in grades 6 through 8 receives consistent exposure to character development and strength-based learning. We built our 30-minute morning Advisory period into our master schedule to support both personal and academic growth. Middle school is an important time in a child’s development, and we recognize that students need structured opportunities to build self-awareness, confidence, resilience, and positive peer relationships. P2 provides a clear framework to support this work sustainably.

A Low-Prep Curriculum That Fits Our Schedule

One strength of P2 is its flexibility and accessibility. The lessons are easy to follow, require minimal preparation, and let teachers tailor conversations to their students’ specific needs. This low-prep structure makes consistent implementation realistic, which is key to long-term success. Because it is part of our everyday routine, it has become part of our building’s rhythm, and it is reflected in the way students and staff interact with one another.

The Weekly Strength on Morning Announcements

Each morning, our principal shares the daily announcements, which include a focus on the weekly character strength. When students consistently hear about strengths such as kindness, perseverance, teamwork, integrity, and leadership, it helps establish a shared language throughout the building. Teachers reference these strengths in their classrooms, students begin to recognize them in their peers, and conversations naturally shift toward growth and accountability. Starting the day with a positive, strength-based message sets the tone for learning and reinforces that character development is as important as academic achievement.

Connecting P2 With Our PBIS Framework

Every Friday, we connect P2 with our PBIS framework by recognizing students who demonstrate Clio P.R.I.D.E., which stands for Positive, Respectful, Independent, Dependable, and Engaged behavior. Students who exemplify these qualities are announced over the PA system and receive a reward. This public recognition celebrates individual students and reinforces the behaviors and strengths we want to see schoolwide. By aligning P2 with PBIS, our character education efforts work alongside our behavior expectations to create a positive school culture rooted in leadership, responsibility, and accountability.

What I Hear in Counseling Sessions

As a counselor, one of the most meaningful changes I have observed has been in my counseling sessions. Students are beginning to naturally use the language and concepts from their P2 lessons when reflecting on challenges or working through conflicts. Along with looking at what went wrong, students are identifying their strengths, acknowledging areas for growth, and discussing strategies they can use moving forward.

For example, a student may recognize the need to practice perseverance when facing academic frustration, or teamwork when working through a conflict with a peer. This change from reactive thinking to reflective thinking shows that the lessons are being internalized rather than delivered.

Mindful Moments

I also strongly support the Mindful Moment activities included in the weekly toolbox. Mindful Moments encourages breathing exercises, grounding strategies, and brief opportunities for reflection. These practices are simple tools that help students settle themselves and refocus their attention, and I frequently incorporate similar strategies in counseling sessions. When these strategies become normalized across the building, students are more likely to use them independently during moments of stress or frustration. P2 gives students, staff, and families practical tools that extend beyond the classroom.

Building on What Was Already There

Our school has implemented P2 in previous years, so it is already a familiar framework for many students and staff members. That consistency has allowed us to deepen our work rather than start from scratch. P2 has helped establish clear expectations, a common vocabulary, and a positive culture that supports personal and academic growth alike. The weekly toolbox framework is easy for teachers to follow, and its low-prep nature makes it a great addition.

Overall, P2 continues to strengthen our building culture, encourage meaningful conversations, and help students become more self-aware and resilient. Our goal at Clio Middle School is to teach academic content and to develop the character strengths that will guide students throughout their lives. Middle school is a time of tremendous growth, and with P2, we are growing every day. We are proud of the positive direction our school community is taking and look forward to seeing where it goes next.