District 88 makes behavior intervention about more than just the handbook

Each spring at District 88, we take the opportunity to reflect on our behavior data from the school year to look for areas of improvement.

While the student handbook outlines the legal parameters for discipline, we have taken a much more proactive approach to behavior intervention.

About six years ago, the district embarked on a journey to change its philosophical approach to maintaining behavior. We made a definitive commitment to stop presuming students knew what we expected of them and committed to the detailed establishment, teaching and constant re-teaching of highly consistent behavior expectations. The process we use is called Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS), which is known in the buildings as Blazer Pride and the Warrior Code initiatives. That system requires ownership of behavior to be shared by all members of the school community. It involves the ongoing review of discipline data and dedication to a comprehensive and creative school-wide response to teach and re-teach behavior expectations in identified problem areas. PBIS also includes incentive or acknowledgment systems to reward positive behavior on many levels. Since the establishment of PBIS in the district, we have seen a significant decrease of problem behavior at the classroom and school-wide levels.

Below is a list of PBIS initiatives at each school.

• The "Treats for Blazers" program is a reward system for the acknowledgment of positive behavior at Addison Trail. More than 2,000 acts of Blazer Pride have been recognized this year.
• The re-teaching of lessons includes mini in-class assemblies to teach hallway behavior, on-time behavior, responsible cell phone use and dress code.
• "The Blazer Nation" initiative involves partnering with other community agencies to increase community involvement in PBIS initiatives.
• Willowbrook Warrior Code expectations have been emphasized by the announcement of three types of recognitions every Friday. Teachers can recognize students who have demonstrated the "Warrior Code," students can nominate teachers and teachers can nominate classes for having displayed positive behavior.
• Willowbrook continues to use gender-specific assemblies to teach and re-teach Warrior Code expectations.
• Each school's PBIS team includes a student advisory to keep students at the forefront of owning their behavior and taking pride in their school. As always, students serve as an invaluable resource to the PBIS process, identifying areas of need and creative responses.
• Both schools continue to be recognized for their PBIS programs on the state and national levels. District 88 consistently hosts visiting teams from other districts that wish to learn about Blazer Pride and the Warrior Code.
• The District 88 staff is frequently asked to present at conferences to share our success in this area.

For more information about the PBIS initiatives, contact the Assistant Principals for PPS in each building.

Along with PBIS, the district annually reviews its behavior policies, including its bullying-prevention policies, to ensure full legal compliance and to provide clarity for students and parents. All Board of Education policies, including the student handbook, can be viewed on the District 88 website (www.dupage88.net). If you have feedback or suggestions related to our policies or handbook procedures, feel free to contact me at 630-530-3985 or jbarbanente@dupage88.net.

This is a weekly column that features a District 88 administrator or the District 88 Board of Education President.