Pbis Sep_ 08 Newsletter

Newsletter of Positive Behavior Interventions & Supports

McNair Is Looking on the Positive Side If you have not heard, McNair is introducing a new school-wide program this year called “Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports” (PBIS).

Four McNair staff spent two full days this summer training to launch the program. A half day training was provided to all staff prior to school. The concept is based on the idea that students will respond more effectively to increased focus on the positive aspects of their behavior (positive reinforcement), rather than focusing on negative behaviors. While behavior guidelines and consequences are still in place, the staff will be making efforts above & beyond to make sure that the good

behaviors are recognized and in some cases, rewarded. When a student does make a behavior error, staff will take extra time to re-teach the expectations. All students will be taught McNair’s “Wildcat Ways”, the five main expectations. These expectations are Be Responsible, Be Respectful, Be Cooperative, Be Kind, & Be Safe. Students are also being taught procedures for various activities from walking in a line to what voice levels are appropriate in different areas of the school. The school-wide part of the program described above is only the first phase. The second and third phases include tar-

geting groups and individual students who continue to display behavior errors. These phases will be more fully implemented over the next 3-5 years.

The ultimate goal of the program is to create an even better environment for learning with less interruptions to instruction & more consistently positive interactions among students and staff.

The program was fully introduced to students at an all school assembly August 18th. More detailed information can be found at several links on the web: WWW.PBIS.ORG

WWW.PBISMISSOURI.ORG WWW.SCHOOLCOUNSELOR.INFO

Bring it Home

Behaving well is pretty popular around McNair these days. Students have many opportunities to be recognized and rewarded. Classrooms are awarded “Wildcat Paws” when they are caught doing things well. Teachers cannot award the paws to their own class. Each week, 2 classrooms are awarded the spirit flags for having the most paws (see winners to the right). Also classrooms earn spe-

► Try starting a reward system at home.

Individual students can also earn the chance to win extra privileges and rewards. Students can receive tickets from their teacher or any staff when caught doing things right. The tickets are placed into a drawing for unexpected recognition and rewards.

September 2008

Positive Thinking Affects Health From Mayo Clinic

► Decreased negative stress

► Greater resistance to catching the common cold ► A sense of well-being and improved health

► Reduced risk of coronary artery disease

► Easier breathing if you have certain lung diseases, such as emphysema

► Improved coping ability for women with high-risk pregnancies ► Better coping skills during hardships

Weekly Classroom Spirit Flag Winners Aug. 22

Heuring—18 paws

Catching the Spirit cial rewards or privileges for reaching milestones from being announced on the morning announcements to a popcorn party.

Volume 1, Issue 1

► Give detailed feedback– telling a child exactly what they did right is more encouraging than just saying ‘good job’.

► Praise in public, criticize in private. ► Be specific when teaching children. Do not assume they already know.

Brands— 17 paws

Aug. 29

Heuring– 25 paws Maxfield– 17 paws

Sept. 5

Paden- 14 paws Saulet– 12 paws ‘08-’09 PBIS Committee Mr. Andrew Harris Mrs. Sarah Van Ms. Susan Gerhart Mr. Rob Iezzi Mrs. Angie Hoven Ms. Mandy Fasnacht Mrs. Jennifer Bielicki Ms. Brenda Rone Mrs. Jane McKinney Mrs. Amy Hagedorn Mrs. Christian Bertel Mrs. Susanne Boswell