The Jane E. Tuitt Primary School recently launched its Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) initiative with a fun outdoor party filled with PBIS chants, cheers, a parade, a skit, a dance party in the courtyard and a sneak peek of the new school store. It was topped off with take-home treats and a take-home message for students using the Three B's:“Be Responsible, Be Respectful and Be Safe!”
The PBIS program is being rolled out at schools across the territory and is described as an "adaptable framework to address behavioral challenges and improve social skills, school climate and school culture," according to PBIS Coach Darian Torrice, who worked with JET teachers and students.
The PBIS team at JET, along with administration and staff, have been working hard to implement PBIS this year. Since the roll out on February 6, teachers have worked with students on learning the new behavioral expectation matrix and how the 3 B’s are relevant throughout the school. JET will follow up with monthly PBIS celebrations, student and teacher awards for positive behavior, secondary behavioral supports, and enhanced data collection systems. Students and staff will benefit from evidence-based practices that support positive behaviors and learning initiatives. Additionally, students will begin earning Positive Behavior Stickers for using the 3 B’s; stickers will be handed out for positive behaviors and placed on student cards.Stickers will be redeemed for prizes at the school store as a way to reward appropriate and expected behaviors.
JET is teaching positive social skills and improving school climate through constructive, encouraging and progressive teaching methods incorporated with PBIS. Teachers, staff and students are instructed to focus on the positive--on what is going well and on expected behaviors--rather than on problem behaviors. They are shifting away from problem-focused environments and moving towards problem-solving and setting students up for success through teaching expectations and supporting behavioral growth.
Over the next several months, as the PBIS language and methods spread across the school, the JETs will undoubtedly “soar to excellence!"
