PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) at Country Lane School

At Country Lane, we believe that when students feel safe and supported they are more likely reach their learning potential. Through PBIS (Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports) or Colts Can, we work together to create and maintain a productive, safe environment in which ALL school community members clearly understand the shared expectations for behavior. We believe that through the implementation of PBIS systems and strategies we will increase student academic performance, increase safety, decrease problem behavior, and establish a positive school climate.

The main focus of PBIS (or Colts Can) is to provide a clear system for all expected behaviors at Country Lane School. One of the keys of the system is a focus on prevention. It is based on the idea that when students are taught clearly defined behavioral expectations and provided with predictable responses to their behavior, both positive and corrective, a large majority of students will meet those expectations.

As part of PBIS, Country Lane has developed school-wide procedures to accomplish the following:

Define Behavior Expectations. At Country Lane School we have three simple yet powerful expectations: Be Safe; Be Respectful; and Be Responsible.

Teach Behavior Expectations. The behavioral expectations are taught to all students in real contexts during the first week of school and revisited in a variety of ways throughout the school year.

Acknowledge Appropriate Behaviors. Once appropriate behaviors have been defined and taught, they need to be acknowledged on a regular basis. Country Lane has developed a system that rewards positive behavior. “Colts Can Coupons” are tickets used by staff members as a tool of encouragement and a student motivator.  Students can earn "brag tags" with grade level and school rules on them, as well as extended recess or a pizza party.

Proactively Correct Behavior. When students violate the behavioral expectations they are informed that their behavior was unacceptable. Teachers use a variety of strategies to redirect students to the appropriate behavior (eye contact, proximity, one on one private conversation, phone call/email home…) Each classroom teacher has their own system for redirecting students. If students continue with unacceptable behaviors a teacher may refer the student to administration for further discussion and consequences. Always the focus is on keeping the student’s self esteem in tact while addressing the behaviors that need to be adjusted. The goal is to educate and remind the student as to the desired behaviors and to help them see how the unacceptable behavior impacts everyone negatively.

School-wide rules reflect our Colts Can initiative:

          Be Safe

          Be Responsible

          Be Respectful

We expect the students to use good judgment in their actions at school and to respect themselves, their teachers, and the rights of other students.  Good behavior is essential for effective learning for all students.  We want all of our students to be successful at school. 

The following is never allowed:

• Fighting
• Aggressive Horseplay
• Spitting
• Harassment or Bullying of any kind
• Throwing any objects, including food
• Eating in classrooms, unless authorized by the teacher
• Defiant or Disruptive behavior

Students may be in possession of cell phones/electronic devices only for purposes of communication or tracking a student’s whereabouts (not as toys) providing that these devices do not disrupt the educational program or school activities.  Devices cannot be brought to school for the purposes of games. Toys of any kind are also not allowed at school. If you deem it necessary for your child to have a device in their possession, it must be on silent and stored in a backpack or book bag, out of sight, during the instructional day and at any other time as directed by a district employee. Students may only use cell phones/electronic devices before and after school to communicate with family.  If a disruption occurs, an employee may direct the student to turn off the cell phone/electronic device and/or confiscate it until the end of the day. If a student’s device is confiscated during the instructional day, consequences will be assigned and a parent will need to pick the device up from the office.  The taking or transmitting of pictures/video on a device is strictly prohibited at any time on campus or at school activities. Students shall be personally and solely responsible for the security of any electronic device. The District and School shall not assume responsibility for theft, loss, or damage of any device.  Pagers are prohibited on school grounds except when the device is determined by a licensed physician or surgeon to be essential for the student’s health and the use of which is limited to health related purposes (Ed. Code 48901.5)

Students’ clothing and general appearance must be clean, safe, and appropriate for school.  Students must wear safe and appropriate shoes at all times (closed toe shoes preferred). 

Clothing that is not permitted includes:

• Pajama pants or tops, except on Pajama Day.
• Halter or spaghetti straps.  If worn, a jacket or sweater must accompany the shirt on top.
• Short skirts or shorts (use the fingertip test:  skirts or shorts must be longer than the tips of your longest fingers when your arms are at your side).
• Sagging pants.

Every month at Country Lane, the whole school gathers together to build community and celebrate a variety of student achievements.  Each time we meet, we sing the Country Lane song (lyrics listed below) and honor students from each grade level who exemplify the positive character trait of the month. This idea stemmed from staff members who wanted the opportunity to build a whole school connection. Our Round Up happens first thing in the morning and starts our day in a positive and celebratory way.