What is PBS?
PBS stands for Postive Behavior Support. It is a broad range of systematic and individualized strategies for achieving important social and learning outcomes while preventing problem behavior. Students learn appropriate behavior in the same way they learn to read - through instruction, practice, feedback, and encouragement.
Character Education at Mark Twain
The Mark Twain classroom rules are categorized under "The Big Three" - be respectful, be responsible, and be your best. You can BE RESPECTFUL by treating others the way you want to be treated. You can BE RESPONSIBLE by listening to directions, following directions, and coming to school prepared. Finally, you can BE YOUR BEST by keeping your hands, feet, and other objects to yourself.
PBS Character Education Assemblies
Each month kicks off with an assembly. During the assembly, the grade with the best attendance is announced, the Traveling Trophy is presented, and the monthly theme is introduced. The themes are: August - Be On Time, September - Be A Hard Worker, October - Be Polite, November - Make A Difference, December - Be Caring and Share, January - Be A Goal Setter, February - Be Healthy, March - Be Prepared, April - Be Confident, May - Be Your Best.
PAWS for Praise
Sometimes a student is "caught" following the Big Three. How do we recognize these kids for doing the right thing? We like to PAWS for Praise! PAWS for Praise is a ticket system where students are given tickets for being "caught" in an act of respectfulness, responsibility, kindness, or cooperativeness. Individuals, groups, and entire classes can earn PAWS for Praise tickets. The PAWS for Praise tickets aren't just given by teachers and other school staff. The bus drivers and Rolla VIPS patrolmen also PAWS for Praise if they catch you in an act of goodness outside of school. When a student receives a PAWS for Praise, he/she takes it to Mrs. Gillardi or Miss Mumma and has it stamped. Once the PAWS for Praise has been stamped, it's placed in a chart in the student's classroom. After the class has accumulated one hundred PAWS for Praise tickets, the class is treated to a special activity.
Super S'Mores
Several students are selected as Mark Twain Super S'Mores each week. A Super S'More is a student who is always responsible, respectful, and his/her best. Each Super S'More is photographed and his/her picture is placed in the hallway as an example to the students of Mark Twain Elementary.
Traveling Trophy
The Traveling Trophy is awarded each month to the classes that demonstrate the highest level of character education. By being responsible, being respectful, and being their best, one class from each grade level receives the Traveling Trophy at the monthy character education assembly.
