PBIS places an increased emphasis on proactive approaches in which expected and more socially acceptable behaviors are directly taught, regularly practiced in the school environment, and followed by frequent positive reinforcements. Seneca School’s PBIS is a team based, systematic approach in teaching behavioral expectations throughout the school. Seneca PBIS team agrees upon 3 positively stated rules or expectations, instructs students on the expectations, provides reinforcements for following the school-wide expectations, provides minor consequences for rule infractions, and uses data on a regular basis to evaluate the school-wide support plan.
Positive behavior and character are taught through a school-wide behavior plan of recognition and rewards. Seneca Elementary’s PBIS program has been developed as a bridge between that which the students at Prospect Elementary learn and what they will experience as they move on to the Junior/Senior High School. The PBIS Behavior Rubric outlines who addresses various disruptive incidents.
The “Seneca Success Express” motto is “Respect and polite will make us just right.” Students receive “tickets” for the Seneca Success Express from teachers, custodians, cafeteria workers, bus drivers, administrators, and any other school staff person when they behave respectful, responsible and safe. The adult tells the student what they are being given a ticket for, their name is written on the ticket, and it is added to their classroom’s collection. Students’ names are then drawn for small reward prizes. There are school-wide reward events, assemblies, block parties, movies, or snacks are examples of the larger events.
All PBIS practices are founded on the assumption and belief that all children can exhibit appropriate behavior. As a result, it is our responsibility to identify the contextual setting events and environmental conditions that enable exhibition of appropriate behavior. We then must determine the means and systems to provide those resources.
Seneca Elementary students are asked to practice these 3 expectations:
Parents are an important part of PBIS implementation. Seneca School encourages parents to use the same expectations and rules that the school teaches. This common language creates consistency and a unified support for expected student behavior. Parents are asked to discuss the common rules and expectations and post them at home for easy reference. Children thrive when they have consistent, predictable expectations and consequences.
