Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS)
By focusing on PBIS, the Edwards Team can create an environment that helps all students achieve appropriate behavior. PBIS promotes a positive school climate, safer learning environments, and more trusting and respectful student-adult relationships.
PBIS is a proactive approach that Edwards is using to help to build/improve school safety and promote positive behavior. At its heart, the goal of PBIS is to teach students positive behavior strategies, just as we would teach about any other subject (such as literacy or numeracy). ALL students and staff have the same expectations that are taught, modelled and reinforced.
Staff uses a “tracking” system to award points to a student’s House Team when they are caught demonstrating leadership in one of the Matrix areas. This year we are using an app that allows staff to choose a location (Gym, Hallways, Classroom, Fields, Playground, Basketball court, Bus), the behaviour or rule that the student is demonstrating and award points. This system allows us to track where we are having success and where we need further focus and lessons.
Benefits:
- Common language
- The clear expectations for all students
- Focuses on a positive school culture
- Builds social skills
- Improves social and emotional development
- Improves school safety
- Increases student engagement
Our Progress
- Completion of our School Wide Matrix: Our 3 Pillars (Respectful, Safe, Responsible) were set last year after discussion with the full staff on what is important at Edwards. From there the PBIS committee (consisting of staff from each grade level and area) created 3 important rules that fall under each pillar). This year the committee finalized the rules and had discussion on what each rule meant and should look like.
- The Matrix has been shared with all staff and can be found in each classroom.
- Lessons have been created for each of the rules that each of our classrooms are working through. These lessons help build a solid foundation and understanding of the expectations associated with student behaviour
- Matrix reinforces the use of common language for students, parents and staff