Positive Behavior intervention Support (PBIS)

What is Positive Behavior intervention Support?
Positive Behavior intervention Support (PBIS) is an approach to creating a safe and productive learning environment where teachers can teach and all students can learn. It is a framework to teach and reinforce pro-social behavior for all students.

Promoting a Positive School Climate:
Throughout the school year, topics are introduced related to our PBIS program on a monthly basis. Community building discussions are held among student groups as part of the Information and Imagination class. Each week's Monday morning announcements contain a special suggestion on how students can demonstrate an aspect of Colt Behavior, connected to monthly themes.

Monthly themes:

September/October - Being proud of who we are (honoring uniqueness, celebrating strengths, accepting limitations, realizing those are what make us a unique individual)
November - Conflict is normal/bullying is not (distinguishing between the two types of problems)
December - Strategies for dealing with conflict (problem-solving, compromise, win-win)
January - Strategies for dealing with bullying (HA HA SO; talk, walk, get help, being a helpful bystander)
February - Tattling vs. Telling (when to tell, when to handle it differently)
March - Being a good friend (two-way communication, empathy)
April - Ways to deal with strong feelings (count to 10, take a deep breath, walk it off)
May - Keeping your friends while staying out of trouble (say no in a friendly manner, offer an alternative, keep the door open)

Tattling vs. Telling:
At Kohl Elementary, we guide students to understand the difference between tattling on another student and telling an adult when a problem arises. We teach students this concept using language such as, "Tattling is something you do to get someone IN trouble" and "Telling is something you do to get someone OUT of trouble." We want students to feel confident seeking adult support by reporting incidents that made them feel uncomfortable. 
 

Bully-Proofing
It is our goal to create an environment at school that is safe for children physically and emotionally. Bullying behavior is taken seriously. Students are encouraged to speak out and get adult help if incidents occur. We value an inclusive community and respectful interactions among children and staff. Kohl Elementary has adopted the Bully-Proofing Your School model for preventing negative behaviors. Every year a climate survey is completed by students in third through fifth grade. This data informs our programming and helps focus efforts on creating a school that fosters healthy peer relationships.

Resources:

Recognizing Bullying

Protecting Your Child From Bullying