THe Lightning Code

What is Schoolwide PBIS?

• Proactive strategies for defining, teaching, and supporting appropriate student behaviors to create positive school environments.
• Instead of using a piecemeal approach of individual behavioral management plans, a continuum of positive behavior interventions and support for all students within a school is implemented in areas including the classroom and non-classroom settings (such as hallways, buses, and restrooms).
• Positive behavior interventions and support is an application of a behaviorally-based systems approach to enhance the capacity of schools, families, and communities to design effective environments that improve the link between research-validated practices and the environments in which teaching and learning occurs.
• Attention is focused on creating and sustaining primary / core (school-wide), secondary/ supplemental (classroom), and tertiary / intensive (individual) systems of support that improve lifestyle results (personal, health, social, family, work, recreation) for all children and youth by making targeted behaviors less effective, efficient, and relevant, and desired behavior more functional.

What are the benefits of PBIS?

• Development of a leadership team in your building that focuses attention on social emotional needs of students and improvement of climate and culture of the building.
• Focuses attention and resources on prevention of problem behaviors.
• Prioritizes resources and staff development to increase all staff skills in dealing with problem behaviors.
• Supports the use of a common language across staff, students, families and the community.
• Teaches staff to implement a system for data based decision making.
• Decreases discipline referrals and thus decreases administrative time devoted to problem behavior.
• Increases instructional time and student achievement.
• Fosters a calm, safe environment and improves the climate and culture of the building.
• Can increase both student and staff attendance.

District staff are responsible for providing proactive strategies for defining, teaching, and supporting appropriate student behaviors to create positive school environments for all students, identifying those students who need additional supports, and implementing interventions based upon student need. If you feel that your child needs additional supports in the area of behavior, please contact your child's teacher, guidance counselor, and/or principal. Together we will work with you to ensure that your child is successful.