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Grant boosts GHEC’s behaviors program

GRANADA — Granada-Huntley-East Chain High School recently received a grant of $10,000 for PBIS — Positive Behaviors Interventions and Supports.

It is a program designed to approach discipline differently, by teaching kids proper behavior expectations and focusing on positively reinforcing them when they are doing those expectations correctly, rather than only on negative consequences when they do something wrong.

An example would be when a student misbehaves. Instead of yelling at the child, the teacher/staff member takes that student aside and lets them explain why they think they are being talked to. After listening to their reasoning, the teacher/staff member asks the student what they can do to fix it, and if they don’t know, helps work it out with them. This logic avoids punishing the student, and instead encourages open conversation and positive reinforcement.

GHEC has been implementing this program since August 2015, after a PBIS team received training in Mankato, where they listened to behavior expectations and decided on three that would be best for GHEC: respect, responsibility and readiness.

Once the three key behaviors for the school were identified, the PBIS team returned to GHEC to update the staff.

“One thing we have to do to make sure the program is successful is making sure the staff is buying into the philosophy, even though it can be a big shift of thinking and teaching,” said Principal Mandy Fletcher. “We surveyed the staff and they were 100 percent in, so we hit the ground running and have already seen improved climate and culture in our school.”

Staff discussed what the three R’s would look like around the school, such as in the hallway, cafeteria, bathroom and classroom. The intention is to keep it simple and straightforward by positively stating the expectation.

“We try to keep away from the No’s and Don’t’s like ‘No running down the hall’ but instead ‘Walk silently on the right,'” Fletcher said. “Discipline has shifted over the years and student’s don’t learn anything when they just get sent to the principals office.”

The school as a whole — staff, administration, custodians and others — help share the importance of the message. At the beginning of the school year, classes pair up and attend PBIS stations where cooks in the cafeteria, office personal in the office, recess supervisors for the playground, custodians for the hallway and bathrooms, and others inform students of expectations for each place.

“The statement, ‘You’re not my teacher’ doesn’t apply here because behaviors are accountable to everyone and students and staff both respect that,” Fletcher said.

The new way of thinking and reacting may be expected in the school, but is also encouraged in the community and elsewhere.

“Our hope is that students learn it here and use it at other locations and in the community, as well as for the rest of their life,” Fletcher said. “We recognize that the shift in thinking takes time for both students and staff, and we realize students are not going to be perfectly behaved 100 percent of the day, but we do believe in PBIS and how it continues to improve our school.”

A rewards system also has been developed through PBIS. It encourages students to be their best.

“Any staff member can nominate a student who has shown good behavior by explaining the behavior on a PBIS certificate, and it is then displayed in the hallway for everybody to see,” Fletcher said. “Students may not think they are being noticed, but we notice them and reward for good behavior.”

Every Monday, a video recognizing the students names is recorded and sent to staff and students. Their names also are put in the monthly newsletter.

“We draw for prizes but they aren’t candy or food anymore,” Fletcher said. “Instead students, for example, can choose to get a free homework pass or use their notes on a test for an extra 10 minutes, which encourages students and also helps them.”

Last year, GHEC had someone from outside the district survey students and staff on their knowledge of PBIS, and respondents almost scored 100 percent on behavior expectations and what that looks like at GHEC.

“We are thrilled to be able to use this grant to better our school and to continue to move this initiative forward because it has been so incredible and provides such a positive culture,” Fletcher said.

The money will help with training in PBIS, provide PBIS nights with the community, and allow the school to improve the program. One of the events fast approaching is the second annual PBIS Community Night, to be held 6:30 p.m. Feb. 10. Free and open to the public, there will be a movie night with popcorn and drinks, and blankets are encouraged.

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