PBIS is our district-wide approach to develop a culture of academic and behavioral success.  We have adopted the following three key behavioral rules across the district: 

Be safe.  Be respectful.  Be responsible.

At Ocean Crest Elementary School, we believe that positive reinforcement of expected behaviors will serve as encouragement for all students.  It is our desire to create an educational environment that is safe, fun, and encourages mindfulness in all areas.  School-wide discipline has traditionally focused mainly on reacting to specific student misbehavior by implementing punishment-based strategies including reprimands, loss of privileges, office referrals, etc.  Research has shown that the implementation of punishment, especially when it is used in the absence of other positive strategies, is often ineffective.  Our PBIS approach introduces, models, and reinforces positive social behavior as an integral piece of a student’s educational experience. 

Students are responsible for conducting themselves properly in accordance with the policies of the district and the lawful direction of staff.  The district has the responsibility to afford students certain rights as guaranteed under federal and state constitutions and laws. 

The district has authority and control over a student at any school-related activity, during the regular school day, regardless of time or location, and while being transported in district-provided transportation.  Students will be subject to discipline including loss of privileges, detention, suspension, expulsion, and/or referral to law enforcement officials as deemed appropriate by school staff.

Classroom teachers will develop rules of conduct for their rooms.  Students will be informed of the behavior that is expected of them and the consequences of misbehavior.

Discipline is a process that uses teaching, modeling and other appropriate strategies to maintain the behaviors necessary to provide a safe and productive learning environment by changing unacceptable behavior to acceptable behavior. 

• Be specific:  tell the student exactly what he/she did right/wrong

• Be timely:  don’t wait to praise or correct

• Be sincere:  insincere praise is usually worse than none at all

• Be consistent:  with everything, everywhere

• Communicate:  keep open lines of communication between home and school

• The misbehavior of one student will not be allowed to interfere with the learning opportunities of other students.

• The misbehavior of a student will not excuse him/her from successfully completing learning objectives.

• Every discipline issue is an opportunity to teach expected behavior.

• Expected behavior must be communicated, taught, and modeled throughout the school year.

• Parents have a responsibility to ensure that their child’s behaviors do not take away from a safe, orderly, and academically productive learning environment for others.

The Support Space is part of a district-wide movement to provide students with an “alternate” working environment. 

The Support Space is a staffed room for students needing time to reflect on unexpected behaviors and the impact on others, as well as staff support in creating a plan for making different choices in the future.  Students will also be reminded of the behavior expectations in the area of concern.

The Support Space is accessible for all students and requires a pass given by a staff member.  It is staffed with a our Certified Behavior Specialist and Educational Assistant available to provide instructional and behavioral support.  

The Support Space can be used for the following reasons:

• Take a Break

  • This option is used when a student is emotionally escalated as an intervention prior to significant behavior issues.  Students are supervised as they work through calming activities which may include sensory stations, journaling activities, or “think sheet” reflections.  The Reset Station supervisor will communicate with the classroom teacher if the child is not demonstrating behavior indicative of readiness to return to the learning environment at the requested time and will continue to work with the child until he/she is ready to be successful in the classroom.

• Work Completion/Test

  • This option takes the place of missing recess for work completion issues by allowing a student an alternate work environment at the time that he/she is demonstrating an unwillingness to work in the general education classroom.  This does not preclude the option of work completion during personal time (recess), but is a first step towards allowing each child the opportunity to work during work time.  

• Behavior Referral

  • All behavior referrals (major/chronic and minor) are filtered through the Support Space.  The Support Space supervisor reflects with the student, including identifying the behavior in question, the impact on others (adults and students), and a plan for success in the future.  Mrs. Wehner is contacted on all major/chronic referrals and handles all discipline decisions.  Parent contact will be the responsibility of the classroom teacher, Behavior Specialist, or Principal, as needed.

• Other: 

  • Student Study Team (SST) interventions are scheduled by the SST team and can be implemented in the Support Space.  It is also the home to any students losing privileges for safety concerns, which will include reflection similar to behavior referrals.

At our school, we strive to create a safe, respectful, and welcoming environment for all students. To support this goal, we expect students to follow these guidelines throughout the school day:

• Respectful Communication: Students are expected to use kind and respectful language at all times. The use of inappropriate, profane, or disrespectful language is not allowed.

• Safe Physical Behavior: Students should keep hands, feet, and objects to themselves. Physical aggression, including pretend fighting or rough play, is not permitted on school grounds.

• Personal Belongings: We encourage students to leave valuable items at home. The school cannot take responsibility for lost or stolen personal items or money. If students choose to bring toys for “Show and Tell,” they should remain in backpacks except during the designated classroom time. Toys and personal sports equipment are not allowed during recess, as they have occasionally led to conflicts.

• Electronics: Personal electronic devices such as cell phones, MP3 players, and handheld gaming devices should remain off and stored in backpacks during the school day. These items are not to be seen or used during school hours. As with other valuables, we recommend these devices be left at home, as the school cannot be responsible for them.

• Prohibited Items: For the safety of all students, weapons and items that resemble weapons are strictly prohibited on campus. This includes knives, firearms, or any object that could pose a safety risk.

• Safe and Respectful Conduct: Any behavior that endangers the safety or well-being of others, or damages school property, is not acceptable. This includes the possession or use of illegal drugs, alcohol, or tobacco products, which are not allowed on school property at any time.

• Care for School Property: We expect students to treat school materials, furniture, and facilities with care and respect.

• Addressing Behavior Concerns: Continued violations of school expectations may result in progressive disciplinary measures, which could include suspension or, in rare cases, expulsion. In situations where a student is experiencing ongoing or serious behavior challenges, a collaborative behavior intervention plan may be developed with input from the principal, teaching staff, the student, and their family.