Wherever we go, certain behaviors are expected, including at school. Upon the return from winter break in January, students at Cuyahoga Heights Elementary School, (CHES) participated in ”Howl at the Room”, a school-wide review of behavior expectations. Each week the entire school – from PreK to Grade 5 – focused on one of the traits that exemplifies CHES: Caring, Honesty, Engaged, and Safe. In exhibiting these traits, students practiced using kind and polite words and actions; taking responsibility for their actions: being good listeners; following directions; keeping their hands, feet, and objects to themselves; and using appropriate voice levels.
“The ‘Howl at the Room’ initiative was new this year and was developed by our PBIS (Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports) Committee,” noted Jessica Satterlee, CHES school counselor. Advocated by the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, PBIS is a recommended framework that Ohio schools are required to implement to make schools safer. Intended to be a positive approach to discipline, PBIS charges schools and districts with creating a positive school environment where each student can thrive and reach his or her potential. The PBIS Committee at CHES is composed of representatives from all grade levels, special education, and administration.
At CHES, teachers were invited to nominate their classrooms for recognition when they saw their students demonstrating the trait for the week. “Teachers discussed examples of what this behavior could look like in the classroom, hallway, cafeteria, playground, on a field trip, or in other areas of the school,” noted Satterlee. Each nomination was read the following day during announcements. At the end of the week, one classroom was chosen to receive a reward of popcorn delivered by Principal Joel Melvin. The class had their picture taken with Melvin and the “Howl at the Room” banner, and their photo was featured in the weekly parent newsletter. The banner was hung outside the winning classroom until the next winner was chosen the following week.
“The students absolutely love it! They are often begging their teachers to nominate them, which then leads to a great conversation in the classroom about what the students need to do to earn a nomination,” said Satterlee. “Our students are typically very well-behaved, but this initiative has increased students' focus on the chosen trait of the week, particularly in those classrooms where teachers are reviewing and reminding students of these expectations.”
Weekly winners include the following:
Caring: Elizabeth Wallace's second grade class was recognized for being kind and respectful to the substitute teacher.
Honesty: Kyle Manfredonia's Pre-K class was recognized for being honest while taking turns during a game.
Engaged: Rachael Stafford's fourth-grade class was recognized for being engaged during a Fact vs. Opinion activity in which they read and identified fact and opinion statements in an article and participated by sharing the statements they found during the class discussion.
Safe: Kristin Rex's Kindergarten class was recognized for being engaged while playing games to learn about Internet safety.
Pup Bucks
Another way that students are rewarded for positive behavior is by earning Pup Bucks. Teachers distribute these slips to individual students whenever they acknowledge positive actions, such as demonstrating kindness, finishing work on time, and being respectful of others. First and second grade students compile their slips to work toward a grade-level goal, such as Pajama Day, No Shoes Day, or Stuffed Animal Day. Third-grade students trade in their Pup Bucks for stickers, squishies, croc charms, school supplies and other prizes. Fourth-grade students, who earn their Pup Bucks virtually, use their slips to purchase prizes at an online store. Fifth-grade students bank their Pup Bucks to spend at a twice-yearly grade-level auction of items donated by families and teachers.
Picture #1: The Howl at the Room Nomination Board.
Picture #2: The Howl at the Room Banner.
Picture #3: Mr. Manfredonia's class -- Week 2 winner.
Picture #4: Mrs. Stafford's class --Week 3 winner.
