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Positive Behavioral Intervention and Support
A team of staff members and parents comprise the Positive Behavioral Intervention and Supports (PBIS)Team at Avon Elementary School. This group is also known as "The Braves Team." PBIS is a framework for organizing the staff and students to create a social culture in school that will encourage positive behavior and interactions, while discouraging problem behaviors among students. Developing a wonderful culture in our school will lead to a safer environment where children can build their self esteem, develop positive relationships with each other and adults, as well as improve their social and academic abilities. The foundation of this approach emphasizes teaching children the behaviors we expect to see from them, reminding them to use these behaviors at all times, acknowledging them when they do, and correcting them when they do not. PBIS is built on the foundation of three principles: the use of effective practices, the use of data, and the use of systems of support. The link between families and positive behavioral interventions and supports is an important one. We are proud with how far we have come at Avon Elementary with implementing PBIS. Since implementation began several years ago, the school has realized a steady decrease in the number of Office Disciplinary Referrals (ODR). Several highlights include:
As part of our PBIS kick-off we meet with students to review our school expectations for behavior. The PBIS team creates an implementation schedule and designed BRAVES posters to hang in prominent locations throughout the school and classrooms. The posters highlight our behavioral expectations for students. The monitors in the hallways display information about expectations, and a special message from our school superhero, Bravesman.
The teaching staff is asked each year to utilize the “cool tools” or lesson plans that were developed to teach the BRAVES expectations. Teachers were asked to incorporate the BRAVES matrix, or BRAVES behavioral expectations, as often as possible in the additional work that they do around setting expectations for their students.
We track student disciplinary data and make decisions to improve student safety through thoughtful analysis.
Our PBIS kick-off at the Elementary School has been a success each year. The playground expectations are taught to each class and beautiful banners have been purchased that have the PBIS BRAVES logo with the expectations on it. Early in September, we have bus presentations that are successful as well. Students seem to enjoy the Braves Cards system that we are using to monitor bus behavior. We have gone to great lengths to acknowledge students for the things they are doing right. An example of an intermittent reinforcement that is used is that the top two buses behaviorally each month, are designated as Braves Busses and receive a special magnet that is affixed to the bus. The students receive similar badges to wear as well.
The Principal’s Student Advisory Council has been a great success. Twelve students serve as representatives for their grade levels. Their duty is to ask their fellow students if they have any issues or concerns that they would want brought up at the monthly gatherings. Brainstorming possible solutions to these concerns is the task of the group. The council prioritizes the suggestions/concerns that are raised and establishes goals to guide their efforts.
The school has a highly successful Braves Leader of the Month assembly program. Several years ago, our very own superhero Bravesman made a triumphant debut! Bravesman travels throughout the village and town of Avon teaching elementary school students about our PBIS/Braves expectations.
The PBIS Team continued its review of student discipline data.
The PBIS team has encouraged training for all staff in a restorative process called Peacemaking Circles. “Circles” are a wonderful opportunity for building community within a classroom between the students and the teacher. Students feel empowered as they learn the tools to manage their own behavior, listen respectfully to each other, and understand that everyone has a valued opinion in the classroom. Teachers benefit from using Peace Circles in their classrooms because behavioral interruptions decrease. The students are happier and more focused on learning and the level of cooperation between the teacher and students increase. Peace Circles, sometimes called Classroom Meetings, provide a democratic approach to running a classroom and are an essential part of most character education programs. Once learned, teachers can use them for morning check-ins with students, discussing a classroom assignment, planning an activity, celebrating successes, welcoming new students, appreciating each other, or resolving conflicts peacefully, when they do occur. The use of Peacemaking Circles is one more tool in helping teachers to be successful with their own classroom management.
The Braves Patrol is a student group which assists with the morning arrival of students to school. The patrol members encourage students to exibit proper "Braves" behavior in the hallway. The students on the patrol receive training in how to interact with other students and how to recognize fellow students for making the correct choices.
Please use the link below to learn more about Positive Behavioral Intervention and Supports.