Creating a Positive Learning Environment at our School
Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) is an approach to teaching and supporting positive behaviors and meeting the needs of ALL students. This school-wide approach to behavior focuses on building a safe and positive environment in which all students can learn.
We want our students to be happy and successful at school. In St. Vrain Valley School District we believe in the critical role parents and educators play in shaping the lives of children and the future of our world.
Working together to be involved in our school is a stronger predictor of academic success than other factors like socioeconomic status or school attended. Parental involvement can take various forms, including:
- Creating a home environment that encourages learning.
- Communicating high expectations for achievement.
- Staying involved in a child’s education at school.
- Reading with children.
- Helping with extra practice and play at home.
- Discussing school events.
- Attending school functions.
- Volunteering in classrooms.
We work to create an environment where kindness and caring prevail. We want every child to work on four school-wide guidelines. These guidelines include the following and are located at the bottom of this post.
G – Gentle and Safe: Making sure everyone feels included and safe while at school
R – Ready to Learn and Explore: Trying new things, asking questions, and being excited to learn everyday.
O – Offer Kindness to Others: Being a good friend by sharing, helping others, and using kind words.
W – Work Together: Taking turns, cheering each other on, and solving problems together.
Our Motto this year is “GROW BIG, SHINE BRIGHT!” As you come in to the building for various events or your child receives recognition for their positive behavior and following of our guidelines, you can take a selfie at our GROW bulletin board at the front of the building outside of the front office, which looks like this:
We believe that communication between parents/families, students, and teachers is critical. We don’t expect perfection in our young students – for the vast majority of our students, this is the first structured setting outside of home they have experienced. They are here to learn. If concerning patterns of behavior arise, we will work with you to find solutions.
We use this framework to clearly define behavior expectations for different environments in our school in order to set expectations for the positive behaviors we want to develop in all children. In addition, PBIS has other components: 1. A behavior matrix that details behavioral expectations across each setting on our school (the hallway, the classroom, the playground, the gym, the library, and the like).2. Direct teaching of the expectations.3. Reinforcing positive behavior in order to change inappropriate behavior and encourage appropriate behavior.4. Problem solving steps to address and report behaviors.
Spark! Discovery Preschool Handbook
Spark! Discovery Preschool prides itself on promoting a welcoming, positive place of learning where staff and students feel safe, accepted, and appreciated in an environment that provides enthusiasm for lifelong learners.
St. Vrain Valley Schools Behavioral Code
Each year the District publishes a manual for students entitled, “Behavioral code of conduct and Board of Education Policies, Rights and Responsibilities of Students and Parents”.