Ballwin Elementary School is a community of learners. We are all here to learn, grow and become responsible citizens. We learn to:

• Be Kind
• Be Safe
• Be Cooperative
• Be Respectful
• Be Peaceful

In order to: Be Responsible.

The Bear Paw Approach is designed to help create a climate of cooperation, academic excellence, respect and safety at Ballwin. The Bear Paw Approach is based on seven guiding principles. We believe these principles will help create an optimal learning environment for the students at Ballwin Elementary School.

The guiding Principles are as follow:
I. Clear expectations for student behavior.

II. Clear and consistent strategies for teaching appropriate behavior.

III. Clear and consistent strategies for encouraging appropriate behavior.

IV. Clear and consistent consequences that discourage inappropriate behavior.

V. A support system and individual behavioral programs for students with unique or exceptional needs.

VI. Clearly designed methods for evaluating and revising The Bear Paw Approach.

VII. Clear plans and strategies for communicating the characteristics and philosophy of the behavior plan to students and parents.
Ballwin Elementary School-Wide PBS Implementation Plan

 
1. Introduce 6 goals:

• Be Kind
• Be Safe
• Be Cooperative
• Be Respectful
• Be Peaceful
• Be Responsible

2. Provide specific behavior examples for each expectation.
Be Kind: include others, use polite words, be a friend

Be Safe: keep hands and feet to self, walk in building, use materials and equipment appropriately.

Be Cooperative: follow directions the first time given, take turns, share with others, problem solve, be a team player

Be Respectful: be a good listener, treat others the way you want to be treated, allow others to be different, accept others' ideas

Be Peaceful: calm voice, walk quietly so others can learn, keep body quiet

Be Responsible: take care of self, allow others to resolve own problems, do your job, accept outcomes of your behavior, be honest
3. Teach expectations through the "tell-show-practice" sequence.

4. Prompt students to use specific behaviors prior to "problem spots." Examples: "Someone tell me how we show respect when we walk down the hall." "Remember to be kind by allowing all to join games during recess."

5. Provide "Bear Paws" to students who display critical skills. Be sure to let students know what rule he/she followed and the specific behavior he/she displayed. Example: "Lawrence you did a great job of being responsible when you turned in your homework without being asked!"

6. Students will place their Bear Paw tickets in a box. Tickets will be drawn every morning before announcements. Winners will receive a Bear Paw Pencil.