Positive Behavior Intervention & Supports

PBIS

Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports (PBIS) is a framework for creating school climates that are positive, safe and predictable for students and staff. The heart of PBIS is the development of the Matrix of common behavior expectations across all settings on campus, centered on shared core values such as respect, responsibility, safety, and effort. For example, the matrix defines the specific and observable behaviors that demonstrate Respect in the classroom, the lunchroom, on the playground, and in the restrooms. Schools will often use an acronym such as ROAR, The 3 Rs, PAWS, etc, to make them easy to remember.

The key focus is on teaching behavior as relentlessly as we teach academic skills and to provide trauma-sensitive responses to social-behavior errors. Students are taught the matrix behaviors throughout the school year. Appropriate behavior is acknowledged with "caught being good" tickets and rewards. Behavior errors are addressed by providing students opportunities to reflect on their choices and relearn the matrix behaviors through logical consequences. PBIS is an evidence based practice for disrupting the school to prison pipeline and improving outcomes for students.

Data-based decision making is a core feature. Office Data Referrals (ODRs) are tracked through the SWIS system, and the information is used for planning and problem solving. Starting in the 2017-18 school year, all of our schools adopted a universal screening process to identify students who may need additional social emotional or behavior support. This helps us match students to early interventions or community resources.

Each school's PBIS Leadership team meets monthly to review data, design lesson plans, plan reward activities, provide professional development to the school staff, and monitor the quality of their implementation by completing fidelity surveys. In addition, they participate in professional development and coaching with the district's MTSS/PBIS Specialist, as well as with the Los Angeles County of Education's PBIS division.

California PBIS Coalition Again Recognizes

Whittier City Schools!

Continuing a five-year streak, Whittier City Schools have again been recognized by the California PBIS Coalition! This time, the Community Cares recognition was awarded for "outstanding contribution of support and care during the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic and resulting disruptions to school."

ALL of our schools made heroic efforts to provide support of all kinds to their students, families, and staff, and continue to do so during distance learning. From drive-by ceremonies to weekly virtual assemblies and daily social emotional learning time, our schools have used their creativity and loving hearts to ensure that everyone feels connected, safe, and cared for.

Schools also nominated community partners that provided essential supports last spring, including Whittier City School District's Food and Nutrition Services, the Boys And Girls Club of Whittier, and the City of Industry Sheriff's Station. Thank you to our important community partners, who continue to provide essential services during this crisis!

Schools and community partners were acknowledged at the virtual CPC Conference in September, 2020 and are listed on the coalition's website.

CONGRATULATIONS to all of our schools for their enduring commitment to schools that are welcoming, safe, positive, and focused on the whole child!

Hoover School of Visual and Performing Arts — Hoover School of Visual & Performing Arts

Whittier City SD Nutrition Services — WCSD Nutrition Services

Whittier City Schools Food Services — Whittier City SD Food Services

Tips for PBIS at Home During Distance Learning!

In the spring of 2020, the national center for PBIS released a new guide that walks you through eight ideas:

Set routines: Create a daily routine at home with times for learning, exercise, and play.
Set home expectations: Adapt your school’s behavioral expectations for the behaviors you want to see at home.
Teach, remind, reward expected behaviors with positive feedback: Try anticipating tough situations and remind kids about the expectations. When you see them doing those things, let the know you noticed by telling them something positive.
Correct unwanted behaviors: Provide quick corrections or re-directions when someone makes an error.
Share facts about the current state of affairs: Talk about what’s happening in the world and how your family responds to stay healthy and safe.
Communicate with schools for instructional guidance: Find out how schools will provide on-line or virtual learning opportunities for their students and learn how to access it.
Be creative: Find ways to embed learning in your regular day and create space to connect with friends and family virtually.
Model and Promote Emotional Wellness: Your responses in stressful situations teach your student how to cope during stressful situations.

The guide is posted below and includes a sample matrix for home to use for inspiration.

Read an article with tips for implementing the suggestions here: https://www.pbisapps.org/community/Pages/4-Tips-for-Families-Trying-PBIS-at-Home.aspx

Find everything you need to know about your school's PBIS and behavior expectations matrix on its website. All of our schools created PBIS pages as part of our 2019 PBIS Website Challenge - a Whittier City innovation!

Staff resource: A Google site with staff resources for PBIS and RTI academics. Find training materials, videos, tools for implementation fidelity, tools for monitoring progress for both behavior and academic skills, training calendars, and more.

https://sites.google.com/whittiercity.net/wcsd-pbis/home

The School Climate Survey

Administered every fall to 3rd through 8th grade students, this important survey helps us maintain school learning environments in which students feel a sense of belonging and safety. The results are reported as part of the LCAP. Participation is voluntary and families have the option to opt-out, if desired. Review the survey contents and find the Opt-out forms in English & Spanish, below.