VBE PBS Model 2009
Mission Statement: Vero Beach Elementary School is a place where everyone feels safe and accepted with a sense of belonging. Bullying will not be tolerated. School personnel, students, parents, and the community will work together to prevent and stop all forms of bullying by being active participants in the Bully Free program.
Slogan: Dreams Grow in a Bully Free Zone!
VBE is participating in a district initiative called Positive Behavior Support, PBS. We have developed and implemented PBS around the school. PBS is a framework of discipline that uses positive reinforcement and education to encourage students to adopt social and personal behavior and mannerisms which ultimately lead to a successful, productive life. The aim is simple- to build effective environments in the classroom, hallway, cafeteria, media center, bathrooms, school buses, and play areas in which positive behavior is more effective than problem behavior. Teaching and learning occurs everywhere, and we take the initiative to encourage desired behaviors.
The first level of PBS is to instruct students in procedures and expectations in all areas of the school, and then to practice those procedures and expectations over and over.
The second level of PBS is specific character pillar and Bully Free instruction takes place in each classroom weekly. Instruction involves student dialogue and role playing to develop understanding and skills for utilizing character pillars of respect, responsibility, …
The third level of PBS is a discipline and reward plan that is implemented school wide. Individuals and classrooms receive recognition of positive choices, social interactions promoting kindness, and striving to achieve personal best. Discipline for breaking rules is private and used as a learning experience with the undesired behavior redirected.
The fourth level of PBS is data collection and analysis. As we collect data from all areas of the school, we are able to target specific spaces and times where procedure instruction needs to be rethought and retaught. The goal is to establish a culture of kindness and caring where all students feel they are part of our school community.
VBE Positive Behavior Support Team
- Bonnie Swanson, Principal
- Janice McCord, Assistant Principal
- Terry Baird, Classroom Teacher
- Yvette Holmes, School Secretary
- Nanci Gold, Physical Education Coach
- Randy Arms, Student Support Specialist
- Laura McGill, District PBS trainer
A new focus for PBS is Bully Free. We understand the impact bullying has on children, not just for the moment, but for their lifetime. The Bully Free program will help us teach children how to respond to bullying, how to communicate with adults, how adults should respond to bullying, and how to redirect a bully.