Positive Effective Behavior Support (PEBS)

As a school community we will take a proactive approach rather than a reactive one in order to circumvent any behavioral incidents. If and when behavioral incidents occur, we will use a restorative approach in attempt to mend any broken relationships.  We now have a Provincial Code of Conduct (refer to policy section for more details) and this will be strictly adhered to if such incidents arise . 

A major advance in school-wide discipline is the emphasis on school-wide systems of support that include proactive strategies for defining, teaching, and supporting appropriate student behaviors to create positive school environments. Instead of using a patchwork of individual behavioral management plans, a continuum of positive behavior support for all students within a school is implemented in areas including the classroom and non-classroom settings including playgrounds. Positive behavior support is an application of a behaviorally-based systems approach to enhance the capacity of schools, families, and communities to design effective environments that improve the link between research-validated practices and the environments in which teaching and learning occurs. Attention is focused on creating and sustaining primary (school-wide), secondary (classroom), and tertiary (individual) systems of support that improve lifestyle results (personal, health, social, family, work, recreation) for all children and youth by making problem behavior less effective, efficient, and relevant, and desired behavior more functional.(PBIS.org)

In the past, school-wide discipline has focused mainly on reacting to specific student misbehavior by implementing punishment-based strategies including reprimands, loss of privileges, office referrals, suspensions, and expulsions. Introducing, modeling, and reinforcing positive social behavior is an important of a student s educational experience. Teaching behavioral expectations and rewarding students for following them is a much more positive approach than waiting for misbehavior to occur before responding.

The purpose of school-wide PEBS is to establish a climate in which appropriate behavior is the norm. For students that are still experiencing behavioral challenges even with school-wide interventions in place, schools will create support plans that will help the students make better choices and allow the teacher to develop strategies to help reach the student s potential.

PEBS is not a per-purchased program. It is an initiative that helps schools create a positive, safe, and learning rich environment. PEBS is not just for students! It is for everyone teachers, administration, secretaries, students, bus drivers, custodians, parents, playground supervisors, community etc.

PEBS is building a culture of respect and providing support for those that need it the most. PEBS looks at what our students CAN DO and ARE DOING rather than what they SHOULDN’T DO!