GRAND FORKS – Twining Elementary and Middle Schools at Grand Forks Air Force Base have received a $500,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Defense to implement a five-year behavioral intervention initiative.
The Project BIT, or Behavior Intervention at Twining, initiative will address the growing social and emotional challenges that students face, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Student isolation, prevalent during the pandemic, has exacerbated behavioral and academic struggles, according to a news release from Grand Forks Public Schools, the superintendent of which also oversees GFAFB schools.
The Department of Defense Education Activity, or DoDEA, grant will fund Project BIT with a focus on enhancing the Multi-Tiered System of Supports, or MTSS, framework already in place at Twining. The approach will involve integrating Social and Emotional Learning, or SEL, program strategies, aimed at fostering a safe and inclusive learning environment for all students.
Project BIT will be conducted schoolwide, combining behavioral interventions and existing academic support systems.
The focus will be on helping students to develop critical social and emotional competencies, such as self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills and responsible decision-making.
The goal is to help students learn appropriate behavioral skills, manage problem behaviors, and support academic growth, particularly in core content areas. A portion of the funds will be used for supplies, including Calm Down Cubes for every classroom.
The overarching goal of Project BIT is to foster a positive school climate, where students feel respected, supported and safe, according to the statement from GFPS.
By focusing on teaching and reinforcing positive behaviors through consistent and evidence-based practices, Twining staff members are aiming to realize a significant reduction in behavioral issues, while enhancing student academic achievement.
The Department of Defense Education Activity is responsible for planning, directing, coordinating and managing preK-12 education programs for children of Department of Defense personnel who are stationed overseas and in select locations in the United States.