Dear Families,
Last week a team of four people from the JFK leadership team went to Chicago for a national PBIS conference. This is our fourth year of implementing PBIS at JFK.
PBIS stands for Positive Behaviors Interventions and Supports. PBIS is a framework that we use at JFK to create a system of support for all of our students and our staff. The basis for our PBIS system is our HEART expectations and the HEART acknowledgment system that leads to class and all school celebrations. By using a positive approach to behavior and academics, we aim to create a positive school climate where students feel successful, safe, and supported. The more apparent ways that we build a positive school climate are through our morning meetings, closing circles, HEART acknowledgments, class celebrations, whole school celebrations, whole school morning meetings, and cheering while students add HEARTS to the HEART monitor. These are just a few of the ways you can see the way we build a positive school climate.
There are many ways that we build positive school climate that are less visible. The adults in the building are very deliberate about the language that we use with students. We are careful to use language that build student’s inner voice such as “I noticed that you..” Instead of “I like how you…”. This subtle difference encourages students to make good choices because it is the right thing to do, not to earn adult praise. The adults at JFK are skilled at using language in a way that helps students build inner resilience that will stay with them as they grow and mature.
We encourage our families to attend our All School Morning Meetings and join us on Tuesdays and Thursday mornings to cheer students on as the add their HEARTS to the HEART monitor. If you want further information about PBIS, the pbis.org website is full of fantastic information.
Have a fantastic weekend!
Sara Raabe
JFK Principal
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Upcoming Important Date
Friday, October 18th: All School Morning Meeting
Thursday, October 24th: Picture Retake Day
Early Dismissal at 11:00 with activities for students that signed up ahead of time
Friday, October 25th: Early Dismissal at 11:00 with activities for students that signed up ahead of time