Positive Behavior Intervention & Support (PBIS)

Jefferson Elementary School encourages and teaches appropriate behavior through a proactive approach called “Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports” (PBIS). PBIS is a school-wide approach to make our school safe and to promote positive student behavior. It’s also a way for us to decide how to respond to a child who misbehaves.

Following are a few important PBIS principles:

• Every child can learn proper behavior.

• Stepping in early can prevent more serious behavior problems.
• Each child is different and schools need to provide many kinds of behavior support.
• How schools teach behavior should be based on research and science.
• Following a child’s behavioral progress is important.
• Schools must gather and use data to make decisions about behavior problems.

Keep in mind that PBIS is not a treatment or therapy. It is more like a framework for teachers, administrators and parents. It’s used with all students in our school, whether or not they receive special education services. According to several studies, PBIS leads to better student behavior. In schools with PBIS, students receive fewer detentions and suspension. There is less bullying. Students also have better grades.

The Focus of PBIS: Prevention, Not Punishment

In a school with a traditional approach to discipline, teachers/staff may try to correct behavior through punishment.

By contrast, in a school using PBIS, the focus is on preventing problems. From the start, students learn about what behavior is appropriate, just like they learn math or science. Students are taught social skills, including how to act in different settings, such as the classroom, on the bus or with friends. This is done through instruction in or in our “common” areas on what appropriate behaviors should look like throughout our school community.

Your child’s teacher will be teaching their classroom behavior expectations during the first week of school and re-teaching/reviewing them during the year. Please contact your child’s teacher to find out the expected classroom behaviors.

In addition, your child’s classroom teacher will be teaching the “common area” behavior expectations during the first few weeks of school and re-teaching/reviewing them during the year.

PBIS has an emphasis on interaction and modeling by all staff members and focuses on both a child’s behavior and the child as a human being. PBIS is a pro-active approach rather than a re-active approach to discipline.

Our staff wants your child to feel safe and secure at our school. Please consult the Pullman School District School Board Policy 3241 and 3241 (F1, F2, & P) for additional information. You will find a copy of the policy on the Pullman School District website or you may request a copy from the office.

We sincerely appreciate your support and assistance as we work to build a community of responsible citizens who can learn, work, and play with others throughout their lives.

For more information regarding the Washington state student discipline laws please visit the following link: Washington State Student Discipline.