Parent Info

October 2014

Dear Taylors Creek Parents/Guardians,

Schools are successful when they help children grow academically, socially, and emotionally.  For this to happen it is imperative that we have a safe environment that is supportive and conducive for growth.  By setting forth clear social and behavioral expectations and directly teaching students about those expectations, it is our goal is to create a positive atmosphere for optimal learning.

Our plan is based on PBIS—Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports. Our staff began implementing the basics of this framework in 2012. Last school year, the district joined us and has been steadily working toward a successful county-wide implementation.

The PBIS System has 4 components:

            - A matrix of behavioral expectations

            - Lesson plans to teach students the behavioral expectations

            - An acknowledgement/reinforcement system

            - Behavioral Infraction Notice (Documentation in Educator’s Handbook)

At Taylors Creek Elementary School we have three school-wide behavioral expectations:

-       Be Ready

-       Be Responsible

-       Be Respectful

Teaching Appropriate Behavior

Through PBIS, students are taught school-wide expectations and have opportunities to practice them.  Staff members teach what behaviors are expected in the hallways, cafeteria, bathroom, playground, classroom, and bus.

Acknowledgment/ Reinforcement System

Another component of the PBIS system is the use of consistent positive rewards to celebrate students’ success.  Students who are “caught” following the behavioral expectations are reinforced with Reward Tickets.  These tickets will then be used toward individual and classroom rewards.

Other rewards include:

• Monthly celebrations for students who do not receive behavioral referrals
• Weekly positive “Office Referrals” for selected students that have gone out of their way to be a positive influence. These students will be given a note of acknowledgement by our administration and called up to the office for words of appreciation.
• Monthly S.O.A.R. students from each classroom. These students display exemplary behaviors all of the time and are rewarded with a small prize bag, a grade level photo shoot, and a special lunch with a chosen friend.

Educator’s Handbook/Reteach Room

While our PBIS approach emphasizes appropriate behaviors, some students may still violate school rules.  In these situations, students will receive a Minor Incident Report (MIR) though Educator’s Handbook.  In the instance that a student receives a MIR for a minor, but repeated infraction, the student will consequently receive a “Reteach Room” referral.

Our goal is to teach children alternate behaviors to ensure a school environment that is safe, fun, free from distraction, and helps all children reach their maximum learning potential. 

Classroom Color Coded Behavior Charts and Documentation

Each classroom has a behavior chart displayed. Prior to this week, it has had 7 colors. We are always looking at ways to improve our PBIS implementation, and the colors have changed to the following:

Green- You Score! (Great Day)

Black- In the Game (Ready to learn, possible verbal redirection)

Yellow-Game Plan (Students make a plan to change behavior)

Orange- Benched (Reteaching Room and parent contact)

Red- Fouled Out (Student sent to office)

These color charts are one option that the teachers have. They are used to track repeated behaviors. Another option, which is being used in an increasing number of classrooms, is Class DoJo. This is an app that tracks behavior and gives immediate feedback and parent contact. If the teachers are using Class Dojo, they are not required to use the color codes with the students.

We are focusing on natural consequences and positive acknowledgement. Our goal is to keep our students in the classroom in a positive environment.

We have included another very important piece to our PBIS plan, our Family Expectations. Please hang it in a visible area in your home to remind your child that expectations are important for all of us!

We are excited to be working with your children this school year! Thank you for your support.

Sincerely,

Taylors Creek PBIS Team

Family

Expectations

Ready

·     Arrive at school on time.

·      Drop Off time begins at 7:20

·      Start time is 7:40

·     Students should be in School uniform

Responsible

·     Children should attend School daily

·     Check folders daily for notes and homework

Respectful

·     Stress that school is important

·     Communicate any changes or concerns