Five Fontana Unified schools were recently recognized by the California Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) Coalition for their efforts in fostering positive and supportive campus environments, leading to a boost in student excellence and a decrease in behavioral issues.
Earning 2016-17 silver certifications were Sequoia and Truman middle schools and Citrus and Oleander elementary schools while Date Elementary School earned a bronze certification. They are among the state’s 807 schools recognized with silver and bronze awards for incorporating intervention strategies to define, teach and support appropriate student behavior, and achieving positive results.
“We are extremely proud of these five schools along with their teachers and staff for being recognized as leaders in embracing the PBIS philosophy and successfully strengthening their campus culture,” FUSD Superintendent Randal S. Bassett said. “It has been a rewarding journey for these schools, which work every day to create a supportive learning environment that is conducive to academic achievement.”
Fontana Unified schools have worked hard to ensure that positive behavior is rewarded and recognized on a regular basis, through campus murals, daily announcements, weekly student recognition programs, and monthly assemblies. Teachers develop a culture designed to discourage negative behavior while encouraging responsible decision-making.
At Sequoia Middle School, students are rewarded with prizes for demonstrating expectations set by the school’s Successful, Organized, Always prepared and Respectful (SOAR) program. Students are rewarded with a
BMX bike show and an end-of-year PBIS celebration. Since implementing the PBIS program in 2014-15, the school has seen a 46 percent decrease in the school-wide suspension rate.
“Students who are struggling to meet expectations are given interventions and a chance to come to our Eagle Success Panel where students and staff members work together to help students get back on track,” Sequoia Middle School counselor Jessica Gonzales said. “Together, our staff and students are creating a positive culture and climate at Sequoia Middle School.”
Similarly, Truman Middle School’s Caught Being Good (CBG) program enlists the help of all substitute teachers, parent volunteers, custodians, cafeteria workers, campus security, clerical staff and other adults who are trained to recognize good student behavior. The school also holds behavior expectation assemblies where students are reminded of the expectations, including arriving to class on time or taking care of equipment. This is the school’s second year of earning a silver status from the Coalition.
“At Truman, we always aim to recognize students who abide by our school-wide expectations: Be Ready, Be Respectful and Be Responsible,” Principal Kim Hall said. “I want to thank our Truman community of teachers and staff for embracing this program and helping our students be the best they can be in class, on campus, and at home.”
Schools will be acknowledged at the California PBIS Coalition conference Oct. 11-12 in Sacramento.