What is PBIS?

PBIS is a highly research-based practice in education, with extensive evidence supporting its effectiveness in improving student and school outcomes. PBIS is a schoolwide approach to helping students build positive behaviors and create a safe, supportive learning environment.

PBIS Overview

Instead of focusing only on what students do wrong, PBIS emphasizes teaching and recognizing what students do right. Teachers and staff clearly define school expectations, then model, practice, and reward those behaviors. 

  • We teach behavior expectations the same way we teach academic skills.

  • We acknowledge students when they follow those expectations.

  • We provide extra support for students who need help meeting them.

PBIS is a proactive approach to student behavior, ensuring that all students feel supported socially, emotionally, and academically.

  • Click here to explore PBIS in-depth, including research and its effectiveness.

    • Schoolwide expectations are our 3 B’s:

      • Be SAFE

      • Be RESPECTFUL

      • Be RESPONSIBLE

    • Descriptions of what the 3 B’s look like are posted in all areas of the school to reference. 

    • We (all staff) teach what these expectations look like in all areas of our school (e.g. classrooms, hallways, restrooms, office, playground, etc.). We review and reteach these expectations on a weekly basis, if not daily. 

    • Staff hand out Phoenix Points (ticket) to acknowledge when we see a student meeting one or more of these expectations. Staff will also provide descriptive feedback on why that student earned their Phoenix Point (e.g., I really appreciate how you used safe walking feet in the hallway).  Each student’s advisory class collects the points, and once the class jar is full of Phoenix Points, the class celebrates their accomplishments together with ideas such as 10 extra recess minutes, themed dress days, free-choice Friday, or 30 minutes added to the end of the school day.

    • In addition, advisories will add their jar full of Phoenix Points to the front office school-wide jar. Once this jar is full, we take a student vote and have a school-wide celebration.

    • Advisory time focuses on our Mind Up curriculum to support social-emotional needs. Each classroom has a safe space for students who might need a minute before returning to schoolwork. 

    • Extra support for those who need it includes additional behavioral interventions such as a check-in/out system to help start and end a student's day in reflection, small group or individual counseling, etc.

  • PBIS @ AGLA

    • Schoolwide expectations are:

      • Be SAFE - create a physically and emotionally safe environment for learning

      • Be ENGAGED - engage in your learning through focus and joy

      • Be EMPATHETIC - relate to others positively and know how actions lead to impacts

    • Advisory time is leveraged to teach schoolwide expectations.

    • Advisories can earn rewards by demonstrating positive behaviors.

    • Assemblies are held to celebrate student achievement.

    • Check-in Check-out system to further support students in need

Why Extrinsic Motivation Is Okay for Students (and Adults Too)

At Aveson, we believe in helping students discover joy and pride in their learning. We also know that internal motivation (or intrinsic motivation) takes time to develop through experiences of success, encouragement from others, and connection with their community. 

That’s why we use extrinsic motivators to help students build those positive habits. Extrinsic motivators at Aveson include praise, classroom celebrations, and school-wide celebrations versus personal rewards. The praise and celebration events (our school’s external motivators) provide students with feedback on what success looks like and help them connect effort to positive outcomes. Over time and with consistency, students start to feel motivated from within, developing their internal drive.

It’s important to remember that extrinsic motivators aren’t “bad” or something to avoid. In fact, adults rely on them all the time – we go to work to earn a paycheck, we follow speed limits to avoid a ticket, and we complete projects to gain recognition. These motivators help us stay focused and responsible, even when a task itself isn’t exciting.

For young students, the same principles apply. External motivators encourage the meet classroom and school expectations while their bodies and minds are developing self-regulation systems and an internal drive that comes with age and maturity. We use extrinsic motivators thoughtfully as scaffolding…a temporary support to help students build lasting habits, confidence, and a love of learning that eventually become an intrinsic habit. 

The Aveson Way: Our Values

  • APPRECIATE

    We’re more about radical acceptance than polite nodding at different perspectives. Our unique qualities take center stage as we work together to expand our worldview and celebrate our diversity. 

  • Empathize

    We dig deep into our feelings to understand how they impact our learning and our community. Knowing ourselves well helps us to step into another's shoes so we can kick injustice to the curb together.

  • PERSEVERE

    Our students tackle challenges with the courage of a superhero and the curiosity of a toddler. And offering help? That's just how we roll. After all, we didn’t rise from the ashes just to back down when things get tough.

  • REFLECT

    Reflection helps us level-up! Asking questions of ourselves and working to improve keeps us moving forward on this wild journey of learning and growing.

  • EXPLORE

    Questions are our best friends. We're not afraid to peek under the hood of our own biases or investigate ideas (and the world!) like intellectual detectives.

  • KNOW

    Pursuing knowledge and truth is our way of staying humble and hungry. There's always more to learn, and we're here for it.

  • IMAGINE

    Inventiveness is our love language. We try new things and create new spaces where everyone feels like a VIP: Valued, Important, Powerful.

  • SHINE

    Even the most introverted among us can sparkle with confidence. We uplift voices, celebrate perspectives, and encourage the authentic YOU to shine.