It is quite simple what makes our PBS team run like a well-oiled machine- we are a team. We have an appointed leader who does her job quite well. She guides us through our meetings, keeping us on task. No one tries to be a “show dog”. Everyone pulls together to get what needs to be done, done in a professional manner. Team members really listen to each other and are open-minded to ideas placed on the table. No one is “shot down” because his/her ideas are a little different. The members are allowed to present their ideas and concerns without interruption. This is more important because sometimes the thoughts on a topic can be swayed by a little more insight from team members. That is the key to a good team – working together toward the same goal of improving school behavior in a positive manner. All grade levels are represented and have a voice because our team is comprised of one spokesperson from each grade level. This allows every staff member’s concerns to be addressed without everyone having to attend the meetings.

Data concerning office referrals showed the largest number of discipline referrals coming from our busses. In order to reduce the number of referrals on busses, we implemented a new program entitled “Move That Bus”. A large bulletin board in our lunchroom displays all busses at our school. Positive bus behavior is rewarded by moving each bus that earned a “thumbs up” forward one space. (Bus drivers indicate whether their bus moves each week) Children enjoy watching the busses race to the finish line as the weeks pass. Students on each moved bus receive a Whiz Kid ticket for a weekly prize drawing. After a bus has moved 4 times, the entire bus population is video taped and viewed on our morning news show. Referrals will be tracked through the school year, and the data will be analyzed to assess the success of the program.

Our PBS team uses a couple of different methods for communicating with the rest of the staff. Our most commonly used method is communicating at our faculty meetings. This is the time when all staff is together, making it easier to discuss issues as a whole as well as get feed back from the rest of the staff. We also discuss important issues at grade level meetings. Most grade levels meet once a week, making it easy to get PBS topics out to staff sooner. We also exchange information via email every day. Communication with school personnel happens on a regular and consistent basis.

The overall strength of our team is the simple fact that we do work as a team. Our team is comprised of representatives of all grade levels, special areas, paraprofessionals and administrative personnel. These team members work with the other personnel in their specific areas to get ideas and “buy in” on PBS concerns and issues. When we have a team meeting, our conversations are based on information we have collected from our co-workers as well as our own input. We discuss issues openly and reach conclusions that are mutually satisfactory for anyone who may be involved in the matter. Our team members take the time to be concerned about our school and we have a healthy respect for one another’s opinions. We’ve established a risk-free environment. Members of our committee are able to bring opinions to the table without fearing a negative response. And of course, Chocolate at the meetings helps also!!!

R. Bruce Wagner’s PBS team has implemented many exciting motivational elements throughout the 06/07 school year. Each of these techniques has helped to build momentum toward being “strong in body, mind, and spirit” at Wagner! The morning news video program has provided a creative means through which social skills lessons have been broadcast to teach important pro-social skills. These mini-lessons have focused upon lunchroom behavior, walking in the hall, safety on the bus, and other important school behaviors. The video lessons are written and produced by a different class each week and has become a popular part of the school news.

The “Move That Bus!” program rewards students for positive bus behavior and has been an effective way to encourage students to strive for excellence on their way to school and home again. This program has successfully created a climate of compliance rather than one of defiance for many of our students. Our bus students eagerly await the daily results of “Move That Bus!” each morning on the announcements and the friendly rivalry has made a noticeable improvement in behavior and reduction of bus referrals.

Another popular segment on the school news program is the “Wagner Whiz Kid” ticket drawings on Fridays. This program allows students to earn whiz kid tickets throughout the week by demonstrating one of the character traits associated with being a “Whiz Kid”. Part of the ticket is deposited in the raffle bucket while the other half is sent home for parental notification of the good choices made at school. These exciting new motivational systems generated by the PBS team are an important factor in the positive learning climate at R. Bruce Wagner Elementary.