Riverview Elementary School - Dawsonville, GA

As a Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) school, Riverview Elementary School prides itself on a culture of positivity and rigor. The development of our PBIS program created an environment where students are rewarded for perseverance, acknowledged for accomplishments, and encouraged to do their best. We call this uplifting energy the Riverview SPARK, an acronym for Service, Pride, Attitude, Respect, and Kindness. These are the core values that are central to everything we do.

Students are sorted into one of four color houses when they join Riverview, and they remain in these houses for the duration of their time at the school. Assigning students to houses allows them to meet and form relationships with teachers and students they would not usually interact with daily, and the house system reinforces SPARK expectations continuously. The four houses regularly come together in school-wide assemblies to celebrate the results of service projects, success and perseverance in testing and academics, and excellence in behavior and following expectations. These celebrations include dancing, games, competitions, acknowledgment for outstanding students, and dressing up in creative ways.

One emphasis of our SPARK program is respect and consideration for individual differences. Seeing our students learn to love and respect those different from them and grow into advocates for others is one of the most rewarding parts of working at Riverview. We believe that our SPARK will grow brighter and brighter as our students and staff continue to commit themselves to develop empathy and promote acceptance.