Wednesday, August 10, 2011

SOAR- A Framework for School-Wide Positive Behavior Support

So, the new year is less than a week away & I've been "nominated" the SW-PBIS chair at my new school. I love the challenge and the opportunity to be in this position. Within the PBIS framework, a school's values must be operationally defined. Well, that's where this post comes in.


Please, lend me your time and comment on my attempt to synthesize our discussions on what it means to SOAR at Conrad Ball Middle School.

S- Service
Actions taken by an individual or group with the aim of providing a public good. This action is often performed without any expectation of result or award.
Students & Faculty- use what they have learned to solve real-life, community based problems. They engage in practical applications of their learning. They are actively contributing citizens and community members as demonstrated through the services they perform. They stand up for what right and take action to improve their community. They empower and include others, regardless of difference.

O- Ownership
When an individual demonstrates the courage to take responsibility and accountability for their actions.
Students & Faculty- consciously think before they act, and when the decision is made to act, they always take full ownership of their actions. They dependably take responsibility for their own actions, even when the outcome may be negative. They speak with sincerity and act with integrity.

A- Achievement
An outcome of accomplishment. The process of learning, growing, and improving upon ones ability by means of exertion, skill, practice, or perseverance.
Students & Faculty- demonstrate their desire for individual and collective accomplishment, mastering of skills, control, and high standards. They are determined to grow academically, socially, and emotionally. They accept challenge and persist through difficult tasks. They believe in themselves and their capability to learn, grow, and understand.

R- Respect
Taking another's feelings, needs, thoughts, ideas, wishes and preferences into consideration.
Students & Faculty- acknowledge, listening, are truthful, and accept others individuality and collective diversity. They know that respect is earned and cannot be forced, demanded, or compelled through fear. Act upon empathy, compassion, understanding, and consideration of/for members of the community.

Sunday, August 7, 2011

The Struggle...

P339

"Searching" by Blackalicious, Performed by Gift of Gab & Erin Anova, NIA (2000, Quannum Records).

Nia
Nia
Searching for everything already there
For every thought already known
For everything that ever was, is and will be Struggling, oh, how we struggle
And the more we avoid it, the greater the struggle becomes
Until we realize, the struggle is the blessing
Progressing, changing, evolving, growing
From a seed to a tree, from a child to a man (From a child to a woman)
From a man to a spirit (From a woman to a spirit)
To a God fulfilling his plan
Purpose, no words can describe the unnameable
No beginning, no end, just always now
Marveling at the miracle and all of a sudden It all seemed to make sense somehow
Searching for everything already there
For every thought already known
For everything that ever was, is and will be
Nia
Nia