Many of the objections to Make Your Day center around the methods not the philosophy or reason we have a school wide program. We want our schools to be safe and have discipline. We want all our schools and classrooms to be consistent in both behavior and academic programs. We want our children to learn how to behave by listening in class, following directions, giving their best effort, having a positive attitude, showing respect, being responsible, and keeping themselves and their classmates safe.
Despite more and better training, the methods of Make Your Day tend to be reactive, negative, and time consuming. Furthermore, a system of intervention and data collection is missing. This doesn't allow for school staff to evaluate the effectiveness of a program or identify students needing more help learning positive behavior.
The methods in a Positive Behavior Intervention & Support (PBIS) model are based on principles of applied behavior analysis and the prevention approach and values of positive behavior support. PBIS is a prevention-oriented way for school personnel to (a) organize evidence-based practices, (b) improve their implementation of those practices, and (c) maximize academic and social behavior outcomes for students. PBIS supports the success of ALL students.
Our School District Superintendent and Board Members were presented with a proposal for transitioning from Make Your Day to a PBIS model in August 2011. Many Make Your Day schools throughout Washington have already made this transition. A few of our elementary schools currently have positive behavior models in their school. I believe as do many other concerned parents and staff that we need to convince our District leaders to explore using School Wide PBIS.
How are we going to do that?
1. Education - Learn more about PBIS by visiting www.PBIS.org. Learn more about our current Make Your Day program by visiting the School District website under Make Your Day. Compare the similarities and differences. Share your knowledge with others.
2. Letter writing - Write to your principal, school board members, and district leaders. You can email or mail letters. Contact information is available on the Wenatchee School District website. Save a copy of your letter or email. A sample letter is posted in "docs." Who should write? Parents of current, future, & past students, current or past students, staff, and community members.
3. PTA meetings - Talk to your school PTA about Positive Behavior models. If interested, we have a parent that attended the NorthWest Annual PBIS conference and created a Power Point presentation. Send me a message and I would be happy to set up an information presentation for your PTA or concerned parents group.
Jennifer 2-15-12
No comments:
Post a Comment