PBIS Foundations Newsletter
January 2016
What is PBIS?
“PBIS” is short for Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports. This language comes directly from the 1997 reauthorization of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). PBIS is based on principles of applied behavior analysis and the prevention approach and values of positive behavior support. PBIS is a framework or approach for assisting school personnel in adopting and organizing evidence-based behavioral interventions into an integrated continuum that enhances academic and social behavior outcomes for all students.
North East ISD has adopted the Safe & Civil Schools Foundations materials to support the implementation of PBIS district-wide. Foundations walks campuses through the process of designing a proactive and positive school-wide discipline plan. The Foundations process effectively addresses how to establish a positive school climate and culture, school safety, student motivation, and academic engagement.
Getting to know your PBIS Foundations Campus Team:
Each campus has a PBIS Foundations team. Take some time to discover:
- the team name
- who the team members are
- which team member represents you
- how often you will be updated about the PBIS process
- how to get involved
Thoughts to Ponder:
- What do I want my classroom to look like?
- How do I want students to treat me as a person?
- How do I want students to treat one another?
- What type of information or values to I want to communicate to students about being an adult, student, a woman or man?
- What do I want students to remember on the last day of school?
Ask yourself: Do these students have the pre-requisite and requisite skills to succeed based on my answers?
Explicitly Teach and Praise Desired Behaviors
Teach
Some students are raised in households that don’t prioritize what teachers tend to like in the classroom: sitting quietly, listening attentively and taking notes, or following directions. However, we expect students to behave. Thus, social and behavioral skills have become a “hidden curriculum” — rules that students are held accountable for but are never explicitly explained or taught. Because of this, it is imperative that we explicitly teaching social and behavioral skills in a classroom. These lessons should occur like any other lesson, with planning, instructional delivery, and assessment.
“Celebrate what you want to see more of.” Thomas J. Peters
Praise
Effective praise is:
· Accurate
· Specific and descriptive
· Age-appropriate
· Given immediately
· Given in a manner that fits my personal style
An easy way to change ineffective praise into effective praise is through the use of one little word: by!
Behavior Management Begins with Positive Relationships:
Greet them at the door every morning with a handshake, eye contact, a smile, and a "Good morning, (first name)."
Celebrate their achievements with them privately.
Learn about their lives.
Share your life with your students (in appropriate ways).
Regularly say these words out loud to the kids, as cheesy as they may sound: "I like you," "I'm glad you're here," "I'm so happy you're part of our class," "It's great to see you today," "I care about you," "I want to help you succeed."
Call parents to share celebrations in front of the student.
Leave your ego at the door
Respect and celebrate the diverse cultures in the classroom
Resources:
Jackpot! Reward Finder
http://www.interventioncentral.org/teacher-resources/student-rewards-finder
Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supports - OSEP
http://www.pbis.org/training/student
Don’t forget about the resources already on your campus:
Upcoming Training
February 4, 2016
8:30-3:30
CLC 217
Tough Kids Strategies
April 5, 2016
8:30-3:30
Piper Bass
Strategies for Students with Autism and Other Special Needs
February 2, 2016
8:30-3:30
CLC 217
Register in Eduphoria!
Contact Us
Director for School Improvement
210-407-0053
Kara Hallenberger
Program Coordinator for Support-Behavior Support Programs, Autism
210-407-0255