PBIS Handbook

At a Glance

Overview of what PBIS looks like at Lower Pottsgrove Elementary School

• Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) is a way for schools to encourage good behavior
• With PBIS, schools teach kids about behavior, just as they would teach about other subjects like reading and math. 
• The focus of PBIS is prevention, not punishment.

Lower Pottsgrove Elementary School Positive Acknowledgement System

Overview of what PBIS looks like at Lower Pottsgrove Elementary School

PBIS (Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports) is an approach Lower Pottsgrove Elementary will use to enhance school safety and promote positive behavior. This tiered system will support staff in making consistent decisions when responding to student misbehavior.

Students will begin earning points by demonstrating the Falcon Four expectations: Be Safe, Be Positive, Be Respectful, and Be Responsible. Points can be used in several exciting ways:

• Individual Rewards:  Tickets will be used to recognize students who demonstrate the Falcon Four expectations. Students will submit their tickets to the office to be featured on the Falcon’s Finest board.
• Falcon Fest: Students can also work toward a schoolwide celebration by earning tickets collectively.

Students will earn tickets when they are "caught" following the Falcon Four. Staff are encouraged to award tickets to students when appropriately following the Falcon Four expectations.

Once the school reaches a set number of tickets each trimester, we will celebrate together at Falcon Fest, a school wide event rewarding our students’ hard work and positive choices!

Students can earn PBIS bus tickets by showing the Falcon Four expectations while riding the bus. Once they receive a ticket, they can submit it to the office to be entered into a weekly prize drawing.

Students who demonstrate the Falcon Four can earn tickets at any time during the school day from any staff member.

Classroom Managed Behaviors

Record all minor behaviors (infractions) in LinkIt. Take concrete action to correct behaviors using various research-based strategies. Some examples are provided within this document (Classroom Systems). LinkIt will be used by teachers to track negative student behavior within the classroom and document targeted strategies implemented to eliminate the behavior.  

• 1st minor infraction - verbal conference, reteach the falcon four
• 2nd minor infraction - issue classroom consequence
• 3rd minor infraction - parent contact with increased classroom consequence
• 4th minor infraction - complete Office Discipline Referral

After three similar minor behaviors and targeted strategies have been recorded in LinkIt, the next infraction merits completing an Office Discipline Referral. 

*Major infractions require automatic Office Discipline Referral (ODR)

Office Discipline Referral Process

1. The referring staff determines whether the student infraction meets criteria for an Office Discipline Referral (ODR) or after three similar classroom managed behavior offenses.
2. Staff will complete an Office Discipline Referral (ODR) Form, which will be placed in the administrator’s mailbox (on door).
3. The Administrator reviews the ODR and gathers any additional information necessary.
4. The Administrator determines appropriate consequence(s), completes the ODR, enters the referral into LinkIt, then communicates consequence to the teacher in a timely fashion.
5. If the student receives suspension days, then a notice is generated and sent to parent/guardian. This will always include a phone call home by the administrator. A completed ODR is sent to the teacher and/or case manager. A copy is filed electronically for the school’s record.
6. The LinkIt system will yield summary information regarding office discipline referrals for individual students, as well as useful information that will aid in the implementation of Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports strategies for all Lower Pottsgrove Elementary students.

How Parents Can Support the Schoolwide Positive Behavior Support Plan?

Your help with PBIS is very important and your support sends an important message to your child that we are working together as a team to help him/her be successful in school. We understand that your home environment may have different expectations, but in order to support your child’s success in school we ask for your support in the following ways: 

1. Please spend time reviewing the Falcon Four expectations with your child.
2. Please remind your child of the Falcon Four expectations each day before he/she leaves for school.
3. Our system is consistent and predictable so if your child has earned a consequence please support the decision and do all you can to have your child take responsibility for his/her actions. Your child will be told the reason for the consequence and he/she should be able to tell you what occurred. If you have any questions regarding the situation please call the classroom teacher or an administrator.
4. When your child gets home from school, talk with them about their day.
5. If your child did not meet the school expectations that day, use the matrix as a tool to go over and reinforce specific expected behaviors. 
6. You might try to use the same language at home. You might even add a column to the matrix defining expected behavior at home.

Thank you for your support and being a part of our team! 

Falcon Four Pledge

I will be Safe,

I will be Positive,

I will be Respectful,

I will be Responsible...

I am here to help others and keep Lower Pottsgrove a safe place where everyone can learn and do their best.  

Please sign and return the page linked below to your child's classroom teacher.

Lower Pottsgrove Elementary School Falcon Four Pledge