What is it?
Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports, or PBIS, is a Program-wide behavior plan that Jefferson-Clarion Head Start Inc. began implementing in 2017. The goal is to:
1. Build a culture of nurturing and positive relationships between staff, family, and children that promotes equity, inclusion, and diversity.
2. Proactively teach children social-emotional competencies.
3. Work together to support staff by increasing skills to provide a positive and trauma-informed classroom environment.
How Does it Work?
As a program, we have developed behavior expectations for all areas including the classroom, hallways, playground, bus, bathrooms, and table manners. These expectations were then broken down into rules placed in a “Behavior Matrix” that describes what each expectation looks like, sounds like, and feels like. We will teach these behaviors to the students, practice them, and reinforce them.
How will we address behaviors?
Students who are following the classroom rules and expectations will be rewarded in a variety of ways. Classrooms will have the choice to either use “compliment cards” or stickers to give children when they are caught doing the right thing. They will collect these on a chart that, once full, allows them to choose a coupon for a special reward. Their certificate and coupon will be sent home each time. Children will also be given stamps on their hands and arms when they are following the rules.
Tier 1 – Handled by the teacher with documentation of behavior to be turned in for data.
Tier 2 – Same as level 1 plus the parent is contacted
Tier 3 – Same as level 2 plus the teacher consults a PBIS Leadership Team member. A parent/teacher meeting may be scheduled as necessary.
What Can You Do At Home?
**Review our Behavior Expectations and Matrix with your child.
**Keep in touch with your child’s teacher.
**Be a member of your child’s class community; volunteer, attend parent meetings, join in class activities.
**Model appropriate behavior at home.
Our Program-Wide expectations are:
Twiggle’s T’s
Take care of yourself (be safe)
Take care of others (kind/helpful)
Take care of our School (respect property)
(The Behavior Matrix is here)
