PBIS and Character Education at Elm Dale School: “The Elm Dale Way” PTO Parent Presentation October 5, 2015

PBIS Presentation What is PBIS? What does PBIS look like at Elm Dale? How can parents support PBIS?

What is PBIS? Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports An Overview

PBIS BIG IDEAS PBIS is not a curriculum - it is a framework to identify needs, develop strategies, and evaluate practice toward success Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports is a process for teaching children appropriate behavior and providing the supports necessary to sustain that behavior.

Consider this: “Why can’t we finish the last sentence as automatically as we do the others?” “If a child doesn’t know how to read, weteach.” “If a child doesn’t know how to swim, we teach.” “If a child doesn’t know how to multiply, weteach.” “If a child doesn’t know how to drive, we teach.” “If a child doesn’t know how to behave, we teach?.... punish? Tom Herner (NASDE President), Counterpoint 1998

What is different about PBIS? P BIS is used school wide O rganized system of consequences C lear school wide expectations with incentives and consequences A ctual teaching of Positive Behavior Expectations B ehavioral recognition system for kids doing the right thing

What does PBIS look like at Elm Dale?

“The Elm Dale Way” I am SAFE Being safe means making choices that keep you and others free from harm. I am RESPECTFUL Being respectful means being polite and cooperative. I am RESPONSIBLE Being responsible means being dependable and trustworthy.

Expectations Behavioral expectations are taught to students at beginning of each year Posted throughout school Taught and reinforced in class and around the building Uniform language

Cool Tool Example

Positive Acknowledgements Directly connected to expectations Earn pink “Bucket Tickets” in the classroom, hallway, cafeteria, playground, specials, bus The “Eagle Shop” in all classrooms Additional individual classroom acknowledgements “Students of the Month”

How can Parents help? Review your child’s agenda/assignment notebook daily Ask your child about his/her day Reinforce school expectations and relate them to home environment Use PBIS language when appropriate Reward your child with positive praise Your support shows that home and – school are working together as a team!

Benefits of PBIS improved academic achievement reduced office referral rates of up to 50% per year Improved attendance and school engagement Improved school atmosphere Reduced dropout rates Reduced delinquency in later years

Character Education A thought from Theodore Roosevelt: “To educate a person in mind and not in morals is to educate a menace to society.”

Character Education “The deliberate effort by schools, families, and communities to help young people understand, care about, and act upon core ethical values.” (Character Education Partnership) Emphasizes “life skills” in order to develop civic-minded students of high moral character Efforts to support our students in becoming socially responsible young citizens

ChacracterTraits at Elm Dale Widely-shared core values form the basis of good character Kindness Honesty and Integrity Perseverance and Hard Work

How we will Focus on These Character Traits “Kid-friendly: explanations of the traits All-School Kickoff for each trait Related Literature Classroom focus activities School-wide service project Family Connection Celebration Assembly

Morning Meetings Held daily in every classroom An engaging way to start the day Builds a sense of classroom community Sets kids up for social and academic success on a daily basis

Components of a Morning Meeting All students gather together on the carpet Greeting Sharing Group Activity Morning Message/News and Announcements

The “Elm Dale Way”: How do PBIS and Character Ed connect together? Behavioral expectations (Safe, Respectful, Responsible) closely related to core character ed values (Kindness, Integrity, Perseverance) Teachers are mentors, role models, and caregivers Teach values and positive behaviors through curricula and “teachable moments” Involve ethical reflection Incorporate cooperative learning strategies and teamwork Create a positive, caring learning environment

Both are planned and proactive Both have high expectations for responsible behavior Both connect students and staff Both involve a social/emotional learning emphasis Both are practiced in and out of the classroom Both are implemented on a yearly basis Both include role modeling by the staff Both must be a total school commitment More Connections:

Thank you very much for coming! We appreciate your support for our efforts in promoting “The Elm Dale Way”. And remember, Elm Dale Rocks!

QUESTIONS?QUESTIONS?