PBIS
What is Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS)?
PBIS is a school-wide discipline program that focuses on positive student behavior, data to make decisions, and establishes consistent expectations school-wide. Because PBIS takes a prevention approach, it differs in intensity depending on the student’s need. PBIS focuses on helping staff members catch the students doing “good” (positive reinforcement) and re-teaching appropriate behavior when needed.
How does PBIS work at Cherry Drive?
All students are taught Cherry Drive’s behavioral expectations at the start of the school year and they are continually taught and reinforced throughout the school year. We are focused on three concepts across all areas of the school: Be Safe, Be Respectful, and Be Responsible. Students have the opportunity to earn PAWS for demonstrating these positive behavior expectations and they have the opportunity to redeem their PAWS at the PAWS store.
When students demonstrate behavior at school that conflicts with our schoolwide expectations, the focus is on putting proactive measures in place, such as teaching students the appropriate behavior and skills to prevent the behavior from happening again. PBIS uses data-based decision making to examine all students’ needs and puts appropriate interventions in place according to student needs.
After redirecting and reteaching has been tried, students may be asked to complete a Think Sheet (reflection form), have a 1:1 conversation with the teacher, support staff, or administrator, may lose a privilege, or be referred to our MTSS (Multi Tiered Systems of Support) Team for further intervention ideas.
We believe in PBIS at Cherry Drive because of the focus on positive behavior. Research shows that children respond at a much higher rate when they are praised for positive behavior than when punished for bad behavior. We feel that students need to learn pro social skills to make them successful both in and out of school. At Cherry Drive, we believe that we can help students put their best PAWS forward.
Does Cherry Drive teach traits?
Each month we focus on Social Emotional Learning/Character traits through morning announcements and morning meetings in the classrooms. We introduce the skills through read aloud books, reflective questions, and ongoing practice.
- August- Growth Mindset, September-Responsibility, October- Emotional Regulation, November-Perseverance, December-Empathy, January-Risk-Taking, February-Personal Reflection, March-Respect, April-Preparation, and May-Excellence.