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In the News: Positive Behavior Emphasized in Hart County Schools
One major key for students to know how to effectively and efficiently understand how to achieve academic success is for them to know what is expected of them by their teachers, school administrators and school staff. To help students get a grasp of that from early on in the school year, teachers and staff at Hartwell Elementary School recently held the annual Expectation Stations event.
As a part of the PBIS (Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports) structure at the school, the stations event included a matrix of subjects through which students interact with staff to understand what is, and importantly, what isn't, considered appropriate school behavior and protocol.
The seven subject stations highlighted during the day stretched beyond correct conduct in the classroom and during activities, but expanded into behaviors on the bus, in the hallway, during breaks for the restroom, and through various activities, such as how to act during cafeteria time, while playing at recess, and when in general public spaces.
The matrix of subjects likewise sectioned off into H.A.R.T. categories: Helpful (being respectful to others); Accountable (being ready for anything); Respectful (to others and the school); and Teachable (in all situations).
This day-long activity even included teacher’s role playing, acting out for students- especially the younger students who may not have much experience in a school setting- to provide hands-on, real-world impactful scenarios.
“We really want our kids to have a clear understanding of what to do in school and know what is expected of them,” said media specialist Erin Gaines. “If they don’t know how they should behave, then how can you expect them to know what to do while in the school? You have to lay this out for them.”
For HES principal Lydia Bennett, having students, teachers and staff trained in PBIS standards and skills is an essential part to successful educational strides.
In various forms, PBIS training is conducted at all elementary schools in Hart County, and Hart County Middle School and Hart County High School likewise host PBIS training according to grade levels and needs. All of these efforts are proving to be an excellent method to set students up for learning at higher grade levels throughout their educational journey, Bennett said.
“It is a wonderful avenue to use to teach students appropriate behavior and soft skills that will lead to success throughout life - not just in the classroom,” Bennett said.
According to the PBIS National Technical Assistance Center, the PBIS framework is used as for maximizing the use of evidence-based prevention and intervention practices along a multi-tiered continuum that supports the academic, social, emotional, and behavioral competence of all students.
PBIS goes beyond simply having students sit still in the classroom or be quiet in the hallways. It also works to avoid bullying situations, build upon family support for education outside of the classroom, and encourages students to take pride in their education. It, too, can be effective in helping students avoid substance abuse, antisocial behavior, reduce teacher turnover, create a more positive school climate, and promote a safer environment for students, be it in the classroom, on the school bus, in the cafeteria or at the playground, according to research conducted and reported by the center.