An elementary school in the Northern Lehigh School District has garnered an impressive distinction.

Peters Elementary School Principal James Schnyderite announced at last week’s school board meeting that the school recently earned Tier I, Tier II and Tier III Fidelity for its Schoolwide Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports program.

Known as SWPBIS, it’s a universal, schoolwide prevention program that aims to establish a social culture within schools in which students expect and support appropriate behavior from one another — and thereby create school environments that are socially predictable.

“Think of it as a 21st century anti-bullying program, but instead of teaching students what not to do, we teach them what to do,” Schnyderite said. “For eight years now, Peters Elementary School has been considered a continued Tier I Fidelity school, which means our Tier I program, in which we teach all students our core principles — responsible, respectful, safe and proud — and the programs that support those students has been distinguished for many years.

“Just two years ago we earned Tier II Fidelity, which is the way in which we provide interventions to students when they do not show success with our Tier 1 program. We earned that and we learned that we have continued fidelity now for three years, and for the first time we applied for Tier III Fidelity.

“This year we put in our application to be considered for it and we earned Tier III Fidelity, but it’s something that I’m certainly proud of our team.”

Schnyderite said that Tier I team members include Kelly Kromer, school counselor; Lauren Schuster, first grade teacher; Michael Smith, first grade teacher; Christina McShane, kindergarten teacher; and Dr. Jennifer Butz, health and physical education teacher.

He said Tier II/III is comprised of Kelly Kromer, school counselor; Janet Bashore, second grade teacher; Susanne Hegedus, kindergarten teacher; Amanda Bashore, multi-tiered systems of support coordinator; Josie Flugger, reading specialist; and Kara Richardson, reading specialist.