Learning the “Three Bs” is Fun and Rewarding
Spending her “bee bucks” is one of Leah’s favorite things to do in school. The first grader earns them by following the “three Bs” – Be Safe, Be Kind, and Be Responsible. She earned one this week by making sure her group had what they needed to learn and by participating in class.
“The “three Bs” are the central part of the Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) program here at MJT,” said AIS Teacher Karen Kennedy, one of the PBIS program’s coordinators. “The program is important because it compels all the adults in the school to use the same language when teaching students school-wide expectations. It’s what we focus on when considering behavior expectations. It also helps us reinforce expectations consistently throughout the building and in the classrooms.”
By using the easy-to-remember “Bs,” Mary J. Tanner students learn to make good decisions, have a positive experience in school, and earn rewards and celebrations.
Bee Bucks
The school-wide Bee Buck incentive program is a fun aspect of the PBIS program. Each adult in the building and on the transportation team has Bee Bucks to give to students who are caught doing the right thing or going above and beyond to help a friend.
“Students can spend Bee Bucks in their classrooms or during their lunch time every other week. Our PBIS team brings the prize-laden cart to the lunchroom, and students can shop when they are done eating,” said Mrs. Kennedy.
Students also will have one Bee Buck put into the “hive” for every ten they spend. The grade-level “hives” are housed in the office. During the PBIS assemblies, a Bee Buck is chosen from each grade level hive, and the lucky students will have lunch with Principal Taylor!
Golden Spatula and more
Bee bucks aren’t the only incentives. Teachers and staff also reinforce good behavior with the following special monthly awards:
Student-of-the-Month - This award is given for good behavior in the classroom, walking in the hallways, sitting safely in chairs, using polite words, and following directions.
Golden Spatula - These are awarded to students who exhibit good behavior in the lunchroom, including keeping food to themselves, allowing anyone to sit next to them, and placing items in the trash can.
Bus-of-the-Month - Students can earn this award by sitting in their seats and facing forward, listening to the driver, and being on time.
Celebrations
The faculty and staff at MJT like to begin each school year with an assembly and kick-off party for students and teachers. This year’s kick-off included face painting, dancing, games, a photo booth, and scooter races.
During the PBIS kick-off party, students learned how to follow and practice the school’s three Bs. Quick lessons were held in each part of the school, and students learned what is expected while they are there.
“Throughout our kick-off day, we encouraged fun with classmates and taught all our students the expectations here at school. We had teaching stations throughout the building where students learned what being safe, kind, and responsible looks like in that area,” said Mrs. Kennedy.
MJT students celebrate their good behavior during assemblies throughout the school year. All these positive rewards help reinforce the school’s expectations and help children build routines so they can practice the three Bs every day.
“We love to catch students doing something good. It means the lessons and reminders are sinking in,” said Principal Taylor. “The rules and expectations will develop a sense of responsibility, self-discipline, and self-respect. They are simple things that will help our students now and when they move on to elementary school.”