1. The Story of Bernard Elementary School
Keeping The SPARK
The Story of Bernard Elementary School
November 5, 2013

2. PRESENTERS DAVID WELLINGHAM GRACE JONES CHERYL SMITH
Presenters introduce themselves. Position, # of years at Bernard, etc.

4. SETTING BERNARD ELEMENTARY Urban school in Chilliwack, BC
Inner-city school designation
Currently enroll approximately 300 students
Approximately one-third are Aboriginal, Metis, or claim Aboriginal ancestry
Increasing multiculturalism
2011 census has Chilliwack population at 92,000. Growing city and school district. Mobile population – student migration over 25%. ELL. Four Nations are Skwah, Skway, Squlala, and Kwaw-Kwaw-A-Pilt.

6. SPARK The term SPARK was coined in 1998
SPARK is an acronym from the virtues:
Safety
Peace
Attitude
Respect
Kindness

7. SPARK
Staff began looking for a way to address concerns about student conduct and school environment
‘Necessity is the mother of invention’ – PLATO
SPARK Committee started in 1999 and developed a Code of Conduct and lesson plans around SPARK virtues
SPARK grew out of need to address student fights and disrespect. Teachers were afraid of students. Committee developed lesson plans around virtues. Lessons outcomes were very specific; saying ‘please’ and ‘thank you’. Example of lesson plans in binder.

8. SPARK
Development of EBS at Bernard came from growth in three key areas:
Students learning to show SPARK behaviors
Staff development
Building community
From 1999 to 2001 SPARK had a classroom focus
Staff learned about conflict resolution, dealing with defiance, restorative justice, and building a sense of team. They worked on making the school environment more welcoming (bulletin boards). Students and their parents were not connected to school.

10. Matrix From 2001 to 2003 SPARK became a school-wide focus
Expectations were incorporated into a Quick Scale format
Based on the Social Responsibility curriculum
Staff developed ‘I statements’ and used performance standards

11. Matrix First ‘Matrix’ developed in 2003-2004
Expectations put onto posters identifying the different settings of the school
Based on rubrics from the Seabird Island First Nation and other sites
Took entire cycle of kids (K-6) to begin to establish SPARK culture. Bernard attended Making Connections Conference. Soon incorporated different settings into whole Matrix.

12. Matrix Virtues project also accompanied SPARK from 2004 to 2006
SPARK Committee planned lessons for each of the virtues for all classes
2011 Matrix review:
Fewer settings
Key phrase for all settings
Committee developed lesson plans for all virtues for all grades. Virtues list in binder.

14. Matrix Rotation
Students learn the matrix in September, January, and March
The SPARK rotation began in 2008
September: Teacher teaches to class
January: Committee member teaches expectations to class
March: Peer Leaders teach to class

16. SPARKS SPARKS were given out from the very beginning
SPARK draws were originally done in classrooms
Student prizes given in weekly assembly
SPARK draw now part of announcements with prizes given daily
SPARK bins located in front of office
Give SPARKS value – SPARK Store
SPARKS used to go home and get parent signature. Prizes include bracelets, pencils, school supplies, books, classroom money. This year we draw 6 SPARKS every day – 3 primary – 3 intermediate plus 12 or so at monthly assembly. SPARKS were once color coded by month or by event (Christmas, St. Patrick’s Day). Give SPARKS value. Hoarding in desks SPARK bins. External vs. internal rewards.
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SPARKS given back at the end of each month.

17. SPARK Data for September 2013
563 SPARKS
22 Discipline referrals (9 from Red Zone)

18. SPARK Data for October 2013 745 SPARKS
49 Discipline referrals (14 from Red Zone)

20. Student Engagement Principal for the Day Lunch with Principal
SPARK Challenge
Student Announcements
Self-evaluation
Year-end Awards
SPARK Challenge had multi-age groups do a SPARK activity. Year end awards (service, citizenship, athlete of the year) criteria was adjusted to reflect to reflect SPARK behaviors. Principal for the Day SPARK Challenge Student Announcements 2004.

21. Student Engagement Passports Tagging Writing projects Art projects
Weekly/Monthly events
Skits and plays
Passports SPARK Store Swimming in June – No DRF get to go swimming.

23. Support Systems Code of Conduct DRF BRF Alternate Placement
Check and Connect
Reflection Sheets
IEP
School Goal
EA in MPR for kids to do reflection sheets. Code of Conduct 2011.
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Health & Career Curriculum - teach SPARK

24. Support Systems Bronco Buddies Peer Leaders Alpha Buddies
Circles of Care
House Teams/Games
Classroom Buddies
District Sharing

26. SWIS Concern areas: Classroom and playground
Concern behaviors: Defiance and physical contact
Referrals per year:
: 673
: 840
: 670
: 664
: 268
: 261
Part of decline due to Introduction of BRF. Started SWIS in : 122 in May and June. Part of decline due to focus on Teacher/EA/Supervisory Adult following through with consequences. Part of decline due to change in lunch hour in 2010/11.

27. Surveys and Evaluation
Surveys available through PBIS website to help with assessing and planning behavior supports in schools.
SET (School-wide Evaluation Tool) is an external evaluation of implementation of the critical features of school-wide behavioral support
2000 and 2009: Implementation average of 87%
Expectations Defined – 50%, Expectations Taught 90%, Reward System, 83%, Violations System 88%, Decision-Making 100%, Management 100%, District Support 100%

29. EBS Committee
Committee meets on a monthly basis the week before a staff meeting
Advisory committee
2013 Committee has 9 members
Staff buy-in.