At Walter B. Howard Elementary we encourage students to maintain positive behavior using a PBIS model.  Student behavior is very important, because we know that if children are behaving in class, at recess and on the bus, then students are ready to learn.  Below is a description of our efforts here at school.

What is PBIS?

 

Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) is a systems approach to preventing and responding to school and classroom discipline problems. PBIS develops school-wide systems that support staff to teach and promote positive behavior in all students. By reducing behavioral problems, PBIS creates and maintains safe learning environments where teachers can teach and students can learn.

Tiger Tickets

 

Each staff member is provided with a number of “Tiger Tickets” to give to students that display positive behavior.  In order to be sure students have a fair chance of receiving a ticket, each student that has maintained good behavior all day will receive a Tiger Ticket at the end of the day from his/her teacher.  However, a student may also be given an additional ticket if he/she has exhibited the character trait of the month such as cooperation, citizenship, responsibility, respect, etc.  Any staff member can give a student a ticket.  The child is then responsible to hand in the ticket to their teacher or main office.  Each classroom has a container to hold all of their Tiger Tickets.  At the end of the month, tickets from each classroom will be collected and used for the drawing at Tiger Jam.

Tiger Jam

 

Tiger Jam is a monthly character education assembly.  During the assembly students sing the school theme song, patriotic music and say the pledge.  Birthdays and special achievements (PE and Artist of the Month) are recognized for students and staff.  Also during the assembly one grade level is highlighted as they share a class project or theme.  Often times, behavior expectations are modeled and taught.  This may include hallway, recess, cafeteria or classroom behavioral expectations.  At the conclusion of Tiger Jam, 10 “Tiger Tickets” are drawn from a large bucket.  Each ticket has the name of a student who has been displaying positive behavior and also the name of the adult that gave him/her the ticket.  Each name drawn wins a prize and has their picture taken to be displayed in the hallway.

No Referral Celebration

 

At the end of each marking period any student not having received a disciplinary referral and who has not been sent to the office, will participate in a No Referral Celebration.  The celebration may include an ice cream party, board game party, picnic or other event.  Students that have been sent to the office or received a disciplinary referral (in school or on the bus) will not attend the celebration.  Instead he/she will meet with either their teacher/school psychologist/principal to discuss how to make better choices in the future.

Behavior Matrix

 

The matrix consists of building-wide expectations of behavior categorized under respect, responsibility and safety.  Please review these expectations with your child.

School Zones	I am Respectful	I am Responsible	I am Safe
All settings/ Classroom	Raise your hand and wait to be called on Respect other’s property Use kind words Listen when others are speaking	Keep area clean Actively participate Follow directions the first time Accept consequences without arguing or complaining	Keep hands, feet and other objects to yourself Walk Leave candy, gum, toys and cell phones home Report any problems to an adult
Hallway	Walk/wait quietly Allow other classes to pass Keep hands off walls	Keep appropriate space between you and your neighbors	Walk on the side of the hallway Walk in a single file line Face forward
Cafeteria	Quiet voices Use manners Do not save seats Wait silently in line to be served and to be dismissed	Get all items you need before sitting Clean up your area before leaving	Stay in your seat Use trays correctly Follow traffic pattern
Playground	Take turns Share equipment Include others Use kind words	Line up when called Keep track of your belongings Ask permission before leaving	Use equipment correctly Stay in assigned area Keep hands and feet to yourself Wear safe shoes
Bathroom	Use quiet voices Respect privacy	Flush toilets Wash hands Promptly return to class	Report any problems to an adult Act appropriately
Library/ Computer Lab	Listen and work quietly Use whisper voices	Treat books and equipment carefully Use appropriate websites	Walk quietly Use equipment carefully
Bus	Listen to the driver Do not save seats Keep hands and feet to yourself Use kind words	Ask for help when you need it Keep your area clean	Use quiet voices Stay seated Sit with feet, legs and belongings clear of the aisle

WALTER B. HOWARD
ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

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