Did you know Smoketree Elementary is a PBIS school? What is PBIS you ask? Thanks for asking.

Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) is an evidence-based, tiered framework for supporting students' behavioral, academic, social, emotional, and mental health. When implemented with fidelity, PBIS improves social emotional competence, academic success, and school climate.

The Lake Havasu Unified School District has chosen 3 important behavior character traits: safe, responsible, and respectful. When students demonstrate these traits, we create a supportive environment allowing each student to learn to their full potential.

This month we will focus on being SAFE. The tools that help us be safe are: Breathing Tool and Quiet/Safe Place Tool. We calm down and maybe go someplace quiet so we can make good decisions and give ourselves a break, so we don't do something we may regret later.

We also need to give others Personal Space and when things don't go our way, Use Our Words in the right way to improve the situation around us. When we have our space and we give others their space, we all feel safe. When we use Right words instead of wrong words, we work through conflict, not create it.

The Patience Tool helps us stay safe too, by waiting our turn and not pushing, shoving, or interrupting others. Last, the Taking Time Tool is a great way to keep everyone safe. When we are feeling angry or frustrated which leads some to feel like getting verbally aggressive, hitting, or doing something hurtful, we can take time-away to cool down and time-in to figure out how to best deal with the situation.