Party Time: Why, What, and How We Celebrate Presented by: Stefanie Adams (TD), Elizabeth Anderson(CY), Mariafe Arteaga (CIS), and Orlando Martinez (TD)

WELCOME Congratulations to our “Early Birds”! Please describe in one word how receiving a certificate made you feel…

Why do we celebrate?  “Creating a can-do climate for both students and staff starts with a school-wide culture of success, usually beginning with a collaboratively created vision of that school climate.”  “Positive school climate approaches build on staff and student assets and tap those assets to contribute to school-wide improvement initiatives.” Source: Pillar IV, TD Secondary Simply stated, celebrating success breeds success! We can motivate and engage our students by highlighting what they are doing right, rather than focusing on what is wrong.

Why do we celebrate?  “Research has shown that the implementation of punishment, especially when it is used inconsistently and in the absence of other positive strategies, is ineffective. Introducing, modeling, and reinforcing positive social behavior is an important step of a student's educational experience. Teaching behavioral expectations and rewarding students for following them is a much more positive approach than waiting for misbehavior to occur before responding. The purpose of school-wide PBIS is to establish a climate in which appropriate behavior is the norm.” Source:

What can we celebrate?  Attendance  Students AND Staff  Grades  Honors  Improvement  Behavior  “Caught Being Good”  Growth  Academic  Personal  Extracurricular Excellence  Capitalize on student interests

The Voice of Experience: Celebrating at Homestead Senior High School SCHOOL PROFILE Location: Homestead, FL School Size: 1,845 students Free and Reduced Lunch: 90% Diplomas Now! (year one) Talent Development Communities in School City Year

Time to stretch your legs! INSTRUCTIONS: 1) Blow up your balloon 2) Locate table with matching balloon 3) Move to table quickly when asked First seated table group will receive a prize!

Table Activity #1- 20 minutes As a group, please brainstorm the following:  REASONS to celebrate  9 th Grade Academy  Career Academies  Whole School  HOW we celebrate  Where?  When/Frequency?  $$$  EFFECTIVENESS of celebration  Desired outcome?

Create, Share, and Vote Please scribe the group’s favorite celebration scenario on the provided piece of chart paper. Choose one group member to present to the room. Now…VOTE

“Great idea, but how do I pay for it?” Fundraising Ideas  Don’t assume that the answer is “No”:  School District  School Administration  Mutually beneficial relationships:  Educational Partners  Local Business  Community Groups  Close to home:  Staff  Parents  Students

Table Activity #2- 10 minutes As a group, please brainstorm the following:  Ways to celebrate that cost nothing  Fundraising options for celebrations that would cost money

We’re moving again! INSTRUCTIONS: 1) Move to the perimeter of the room 2) School teams choose a table and sit 3) Remaining participants count off and form new work groups

Table Activity #3- 30 minutes Celebration Planning Tool Be creative, and have fun!  CALENDAR  What?  When?  Who?  SAMPLES Facilitators will circulate to answer questions and give suggestions.

All good parties must come to an end… SHARE REVIEW AWARDS EVALUATION DISMISSAL

Your Takeaway Why do we celebrate? “Celebrate what you want to see more of. “ -Tom Peters, motivational speaker

And the winner for “Best Celebration” is…

Thank you! Please complete the session evaluation form. We appreciate your feedback! Comments, Questions, and Contact Info: Elizabeth Anderson Mariafe Artega Orlando Martinez at