Crown Pond students lead PBIS 'HEART' assembly for Yorktown board

Students from Crown Pond Elementary presented a student‑designed PBIS (positive behavior interventions and supports) assembly to the Yorktown Central School District Board of Education on Feb. 9.

Nick Tawaso, a fifth‑grade teacher who helped lead the effort, said the program uses an acronym—HEART—to frame monthly lessons and that a select group of students gave up lunch and recess to plan and present the January assembly. "Behold the heart assembly," Tawaso said as he introduced the work and the student leaders.

Multiple fifth‑grade students described the program in their own words. "We were all so proud to be chosen to be part of this leadership group," said Madison. Students explained they planned skits and interactive challenges to show what courtesy looks like and to involve the audience in changing scenarios (for example, a noisy bus skit that the audience helped revise). The presentations included a bulletin‑board project designed on Canva to showcase a monthly student spotlight.

Assistant principal Kristen Samet praised the students and thanked the PBIS committee for giving students a platform to lead. Board members applauded the assembly; one board member said the students demonstrated that leadership "can also apply to those who are more introverted and quiet." Several board members noted the presentations build public‑speaking confidence and save district resources by creating usable assembly materials in‑house.

The board said it would invite future student‑created assemblies to present and accepted a small gift from the students as a reminder to "show heart." The meeting proceeded to budget presentations after a brief recess.

The students and school staff involved included Crown Pond principal Miss Jacobs, teacher Nick Tawaso, assistant principal Kristen Samet and the named student presenters.