By Caelynn Thompson
Student Writer - Idyllwilde Elementary
Caelynn Thompson is a 5th grader at Idyllwilde Elementary. She has two brothers. She likes art and also loves dogs.
What can a school do to help motivate students to model appropriate and respectful behavior? Well, Idyllwilde Elementary uses a special PBIS program every month. The letters stand for “Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports. This program allows students an opportunity to earn “Dragon Loot” throughout the month. This isn’t real money, but instead, fake money rewarded for going beyond what is expected, having their planner signed by their parents nightly, and showing leadership behaviors. At the end of each month, the student with the most loot gets to pick an activity they want to do from a list provided. Then the student with the second highest loot chooses, and this continues until everyone has picked an activity. You don’t want to have the least amount of loot because you won’t get your first or probably even your third choice. Some activity choices include board games,4 square, basketball, puzzles, music, Spanish crafts, or art. My personal favorite is art and puzzles. It is held during each grade levels’ specials for about 40 minutes. When asked, fifth grader Aubreyauna J. stated, “I really enjoy the chance to go to different activities. It helps me learn new things, get along with others and even get to know other teachers. I think it helps everyone want to do better and act better. I think every school should do it!”
Mr. Dixon is our behavior dean. He oversees our PBIS program. He states, “I love to see our kids using walking feet when coming and going to the activities and being kind to each other throughout the activity time.” Sometimes Mr. Dixon will come around with EXTRA leadership loot and hand them out to students showing leadership qualities DURING the various activities. Our PBIS Day is a great way to get kids motivated to be leaders.
