Here at Mendoza, we call our Positive Behavior Interventions and Support (PBIS) program PAWS for Success. PAWS is an acronym that helps us all remember the expectations here on campus and out in the world. Our goal as Mendoza Pups is to be:
Polite & Respectful
Accountable
Well Prepared
Safe
In and out of the classroom, these expectations are taught, reinforced, and rewarded. Our staff teaches and models these behavioral expectations to create a predictable, effective, and encouraging learning environment and inspire positive behavior by acknowledging students when they make good choices. Learning these skills supports academic success and improves social competence for our students.
Students earn PAWS tickets for making choices that align with our behavior expectations. Each week, we use these tickets to draw students from each class to pick a prize from the principal. We also have periodic, school-wide reward activities. These periodic rewards vary but have included things like extra recess with popsicles, outdoor lunch, a trip to the local park, technology time, a dance party, and pool day at the end of the year.
By focusing on rewarding good choices and behavior, we hope to achieve the natural consequence of curbing negative behavior.