PBIS starts today!

Dear UMS Families,

I am writing about an important initiative at UMS called Positive Behavior Interventions and Support or PBIS. We’ve always approached managing student behavior from a positive, skill-based, non-punitive perspective. For example, if there are arguments at the tetherball area, instead of prohibiting play, we first attempt to reteach the rules and have the student(s) watch peers as they model the expected behaviors. That’s not to say there isn’t a time when a student may lose the privilege of participating, but our initial intervention is positive.

PBIS brings a more systematic approach to this concept. It’s a national, evidence-based practice and Vermont has embraced and devoted a number of resources in an effort to see that it is implemented in each of the state’s public schools. In Colchester, we will be one of three schools implementing PBIS this year. In addition to teaching (and reteaching) desired behaviors, a big part of PBIS is recognizing students who are following the school rules. There are so many students who come to UMS every day and do exactly what is expected of them. We’ll be acknowledging that with “Champ bands.” They are essentially colorful sun bands.

You shouldn’t see any of the Champ bands at home (but given the age of our students you might), because they will be placing them in a classroom container so everyone can see how well they and their classmates are behaving. Also, when the classroom and school meet certain goals, we will celebrate the accomplishment. Here are a couple of ways you can help support your child: 1. Ask how, specifically, he or she followed one of our school rules: Be Safe, Be Kind and Do Your Best. 2. If you see a Champ band at home, have your child return it to school and explain how it’s important to place it in the class container because he or she is a member of the community and that’s one of the ways of being a good member. We’ll be sharing more about PBIS as the year progresses.

As always, if you have any questions, please reach out to your child’s teacher or me.

Respectfully,
Chris Antonicci
Principal