Bridger Elementary will continue to implement a Positive Behavior Intervention and Support (PBIS) program. The purpose of PBIS is to educate, encourage, model, and reinforce positive behaviors.  We cannot expect that all students will come to us knowing our behavioral expectations. The Bridger staff will teach, model, and reinforce our expectations using hallway and classroom displays.  It is important that we teach our students what type of behavior is expected while they are at school. Our students come to us with many different experiences, cultures, and backgrounds.  Our goal is to teach our students how to respect themselves, others and their school environment each and every day.

BEAR Behaviors (School-wide Responsibilities)

·   Respect Myself

·   Respect Others

·   Respect Our School

Raise Responsibility 

Our students are taught they are responsible when they respect themselves, others and their school. We use the Raising Responsibility System (RRS - designed by Marvin Marshall) to develop effective procedures and identify behavior that is "above (or below) the line". In the RRS, discipline is defined as a quality held by students, staff and parents in managing their own work, behavior and lives. It is the lack of discipline that leads to poor choices and negative consequences. The role of the students, teachers and other adults is to develop procedures and systems to help all students demonstrate cooperative and democratic behavior – doing the right thing. It is also the role of teachers and adults to act when students are bossing, bullying or unable to control their own behaviors (anarchy).

All students are taught how to demonstrate the school's values through these charts as a basis for understanding their behavior. 

Responsibility Chart

The RESPONSIBILITY program:

• is a student behavior management system that emphasizes the use of positive reinforcement & procedures to oversee classroom and school behavior

• fosters and maintains a positive school atmosphere

• uses earned privileges as reinforcers for appropriate conduct with natural and logical consequences as deterrents

• is used school-wide (including specials, hallways, etc.)  to promote responsible behavior

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the system work?

Student behavior is monitored on a Responsibility Chart clearly visible in the homeroom.  Every situation can be connected to the chart, and mistakes are merely an opportunity to learn and grow.

What will students learn?

Throughout the year we will focus on, model, and teach our B.E.A.R.S Action Values.

How are the students held accountable?

At the end of the day each student reflects on their behavior and a discussion is held to determine if their magnet should move forward, backward, or stay on the “Y”.  Students will have their magnet moved off the “Y” for not meeting expectations and demonstrating behavior that is not acceptable. 

Why do students have bathroom escorts?

One of the tenets of the program is that students must earn all privileges, rewards, etc. including UNESCORTED trips to the bathroom.  This in no way means that the human right to use the bathroom is taken away, it is simply about teaching children that procedures must be followed and will be enforced.  Teachers will provide whole class bathroom breaks when necessary.  Once some students reach the Y, they can be utilized as escorts for non-Y students. The role of the escort is to check the bathroom to make sure the student they are escorting does not get in trouble for something they didn’t do. After checking the bathroom, escorts stand in a designated spot in the hallway.  Students always have the option to politely decline escorting a student.  

Who should I contact with questions?

Contact your child’s teacher first with questions regarding school behavior. If you need further assistance contact Mrs. Goodman, Principal, at 435-755-2345