PBIS


Brook Forest School utilizes an initiative in order to enhance learning by embracing the Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) Program.

PBIS is a research-based program dedicated to implementing positive behavior interventions that support children in the school setting. The PBIS framework positively impacts children in the areas of behavior, social-emotional relations, and academic achievement. By designing and implementing positive interventions in these areas, teachers and children maximize instruction opportunities and achieve academic success.

As a school, we have committed to five school wide practicies:

  1. Define our expectations
  2. Teach our expectations
  3. Remind children of our expectations
  4. Celebrate our successes
  5. Correct inappropriate behaviour through reteaching

There are three expectations or rules by which everyone at Brook Forest School lives and supports. They are the 3Rs:

  1. Be Respectful
  2. Be Responsible
  3. Be Ready

Every adult at Brook Forest shares the common goal of making sure all of our children understand our three behavioral expectations. In a positive manner, students are taught how to be respectful, how to be responsible, and how to be ready.

The three expectations are broken into clear rules. Our children participate in short lessons in which they learn about appropriate behaviors in the classroom, in the hallways, in the lunch room, during assemblies, on the bus, on field trips, and during emergency situations. Please take the time to ask your child what they have already learned about our expectations. The continued practice of these appropriate behaviors are embedded throughout the school day.

In order to teach our expectations of behavior, students are given Cool Tools each week. Cool Tools are very important ingredients of the PBIS system. Behavior skills are directly taught to students, making it clear what is expected in our school. Each week, a new lesson, or Cool Tool, is taught to all students. Application of Cool Tool lessons is practiced throughout the year. Please remember, a safe and orderly environment is one of the major tenets of school effectiveness research.

Another important component of the 3Rs is the use of consistent, positive reinforcements to celebrate students' successes. Three types of reinforcement are utilized. Any staff member gives on type of reward, a three-part Dolphin Pride Ticket, frequently to any individual student. One part of the ticket is posted on our Dolphin Priude bulletin board near the intermediate pod. Another goes home to the parents with the children. Another may be redeemed for school supplies at the school store, no homework passes, indoor board game ime during recess, and so on.

The second and third types of positive reinforcements are called boosters and all-school celebrations. These reinforcers are used as classroom or all-school group rewards. Our goal is to celebrate our children's success in following behavior expectations, thus leading to a safe and orderly environment.

Children might choose not to follow our expectations, even though appropriate behavior is taught directly and positive reinforcers are used. The Brook Forest faculty has designed an office disipline referral, which is printed on blue paper. Children call the referrals Blue Slips. This form is used when students choose to disregard our expectations for behavior, and are mailed home.

This behavior system is meant to help children achieve our expectations or being respectful, responsible, and ready, which leads to higher academic and personal success.  Each child begins anew each month with a clean slate. We do record monthly Blue Slips filing and utilizing data as a school, but for the children, the start of each month provides a new beginning.

Finally, the PBIS Program builds skills leading to the sustainability of a positive school culture and increased time spent teaching and learning, which is the ultimate goal.

Learn more about PBIS at Brook Forest by reading the PBIS packet.