Photo Provided Area Lions Clubs pulled together to support Buckeye Local Jr. High students in the Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports initiative by contributing funds for rewards. Pictured are, front from left, recent student recipients Emma Vitek, Sutton Monroe, Jaina Wade, Addison Brown, Robert Glauser, Kyan Sanchez, Kaiden Frank, Dane Devault and Stephen Cochran. Back: Brilliant Lions Club President Butch Ford, BLJHS PBIS Coordinator Julianne Kuchan, Warren Township Lions Club member Evelyn Burley, Warren Township Lions Club Secretary Shari Gaul, Warren Township Lions Club member Danny McComb, Warren Township Lions Club Vice President Tom Thomas and Brilliant Lions Club Treasurer Ron Retzer.

CONNORVILLE — Local Lions Clubs are continuing their support of Buckeye Local Jr. High students by contributing to the school’s Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports initiative.

Principal Jason Kovalski said the Adena, Brilliant, Dillonvale-Mt. Pleasant and Warren Township organizations have donated funds in the past for Dairy Queen gift cards to personal care kits and other items for students, but this time they will help provide incentives for pupils who show good behavior through the PBIS program and prizes will be given each month in an effort to build more momentum.

“I have always worked with Tom Thomas and Roger Warren (of the Warren Township Lions Club) and we decided to do something different this year, something that would last longer than a gift at Christmas,” Kovalski said. “Tom contacted (2nd District Gov.) Nina Cleaver and she put out the word and asked (the other clubs) to donate. We’re using the funds for tangible rewards for our PBIS system. We have a virtual class coin that students earn for positive behaviors, and part of the tangible rewards included trick-or-treating during flex time. Students wore costumes and trick-or-treated in the halls. We’re trying to do something every month.”

More incentives include a hot chocolate bar for the top class at Christmastime, followed by a “Pop into New Year’s” popcorn and movie event in January and a “Yeti or Not, We’re Ready to Read” raffle of Yeti items in February. He added that school PBIS Coordinator Julianne Kuchan has led the program and he was grateful to the Lions Clubs for their ongoing support.

“They have donated when we renovated the junior high gym and they have been willing to serve. I’m very appreciative of all of the Lions Club,” Kovalski continued. “Every time I’ve needed help, they never turned me down. I appreciate all that they do for us.”

Thomas, who serves as vice president of the Warren Township Lions Club, said officials were pleased to help.

“We always like to support education locally. Every year we would give the kids gift certificates to Dairy Queen and Jason had an idea with this program,” he said. “It was wonderful to see the kids and know it’s going well.”

Brilliant Lions Club President Butch Ford added that it was all part of the organization’s mission.

“It’s great. We’ve always supported the kids at school and that’s what the Lions do: We serve.”

Warren Township Lions Club member Evelyn Burley and secretary Shari Gaul noted that the group raises funds through tag days and a holiday raffle, the latter which recently made its highest amount ever. Officials added that the clubs have provided an Angel Tree to give holiday gifts to students at Buckeye South while all of the groups worked together to acquire a vision screening machine to benefit all district pupils.

“It helps us through the year,” Gaul added. “We’re here for the school and the community.”