Be an Estabee

WHAT IS PBIS?

Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports (PBIS) is a system of tools and strategies for defining, teaching, and acknowledging appropriate behavior and redirecting unexpected behavior. It is a framework for creating schools that support student outcomes and academic success in a safe school environment. PBIS is for the whole school, it is preventative and it changes the paradigm of focus from negative behaviors and exchanges to positive expectations and interactions.

WHY PBIS?

By teaching the expected behavior to students in a positive way, we provide a common language for everyone in our building, including students, teachers, front office staff, support staff, custodians, our teaching assistants, and you, our families. We believe that by helping students practice good behavior, we will build a school community where all students have an environment where they can succeed and grow.

WHAT ARE THE MAIN ELEMENTS OF PBIS?

  • Customized practices to support student behavior, such as defining and teaching appropriate behavior

  • Systems of support for educators in the school; such as school-wide behavioral expectations, indicators, and coaching

  • Data-based decision making, which is the cornerstone of the behavior problem-solving process

  • And, the combination of these to enable school-wide outcomes, which promote social proficiency and academic success

WHAT ARE THE SCHOOL RULES IN PBIS?

As part of the PBIS program, we have established several clear expectations for the behavior we require in all areas of our school (The Estabees: Be Safe, Be Responsible, Be Respectful and Kind). At Estabrook, we teach behavioral expectations to all students. To teach school wide expectations, we provide student models of appropriate behavior and demonstrate the school-wide acknowledgement system.

WHAT DOES PBIS LOOK LIKE AT ESTABROOK?

Clearly Defined Behavior Expectations

  • “The Three Bees”

  • Estabee Behavior Matrix

  • School/Classroom Rules

  • Be an Estabee School Song

System of Acknowledging Appropriate Behavior

  • Verbal Acknowledgements of Expected Behavior

  • Estabee Tickets

System of Correcting Inappropriate Behavior

  • Strategies for reteaching unexpected behavior

  • Behavior Reports

WHAT IS EXPECTED BEHAVIOR?

These are things we do and say that give people good thoughts about us and makes them feel good, too. Doing what is expected is different based on where we are and who we are with.

WHAT IS UNEXPECTED BEHAVIOR?

These are things we do and say that give people uncomfortable (odd) thoughts about us and makes them feel icky or mad, or bad. Doing what is unexpected is different based on where we are and who we are with (different situations).

HOW DO ADULTS RESPOND TO UNEXPECTED BEHAVIORS?

Adults respond to unexpected behaviors in a calm, consistent manner, using brief but immediate responses that maintain respect for the student.

WHAT STRATEGIES ARE USED TO RESPOND TO UNEXPECTED BEHAVIORS?

Technique:   

Words/actions an adult can use:

Prompt

Provide verbal and/or visual cue.

Redirect

State the expected behavior.

Reteach

State and demonstrate the expected behavior. Have student demonstrate. Provide immediate feedback.

Provide Choice

Give choice to accomplish task in another location, the order of task completion, using alternate supplies to complete the task or for a different type of activity that accomplishes the same instructional objective.

Conference

In a private setting, describe the problem.  Describe the alternative behavior (what the student should do instead). Explain why the alternative is better.  Practice/role play with the student.  Provide feedback.

WHAT ARE “ESTABEE TICKETS?”

Faculty and staff work hard to notice students demonstrating expected behaviors.  When they do, they will often present an “Estabee Ticket” to a student.  The ticket includes the behavior the student was demonstrating.  Students bring these tickets down to the office and place them in a container–usually first stopped by an administrator wanting to see the ticket and congratulate the student!  Each Friday afternoon, one ticket from each grade is randomly selected, and that student is announced to the whole school, at which point he/she comes to the office to receive a coveted Estabee bracelet.  All students who receive tickets are listed on our digital displays throughout the first floor the following week.

HOW CAN PARENTS REINFORCE PBIS AT HOME?

Family involvement in this initiative is key to its success.

  • Ask your child, “What are ‘The Three Bees’ of Estabrook?  What do they mean?”

  • Model, teach and practice routines

  • Talk about your expectations at home

  • Use the language “expected” and “unexpected” when discussing behaviors

  • Consider posting the expectations on your refrigerator and use them for reference

  • Reinforce the behavioral expectations at school and PTO events

  • Reinforce positive behavior at home

Selected information adapted from Think Social: A Social Thinking Curriculum for School Age-Students (Winner, 2005)