The Eye of the Storm:
Earned Acknowledgements
Reinforcing Positive Behaviors of Students & Staff
Student Acknowledgments for Positive Behavior:
Each classroom is encouraged to have some behavioral reinforcement system to positively reward expected behaviors. Color Clip Charts, Class Dojo, Token Economies (pink or gold straws, etc) and other incentive systems have been shown to have a positive effect when teaching behavioral expectations. All teachers are required to have a classroom system to positively reinforce behavior.
Stormonth Sapphires
Stormonth Sapphires are blue bingo chips that may be used within a classroom system to reward students with positive behavior.
Sapphire-Worthy Behaviors
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Doing the right thing when nobody is watching.
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Going above and beyond to help someone without being asked.
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Seeing what needs to be done and taking action to solve the problem.
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Showing empathy. See what someone else sees, hear what someone else hears, feel what someone else feels.
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**Anything teachers feel they need to reinforce and acknowledge within their classroom communities.**
Keep in mind: Be equitable.
Some kids need more than others, but all kids should have access to positive acknowledgement.
Teachers may incentivize students with “bonus” rewards for behaviors that need reinforcement. These needs come and go and teachers are encouraged to be responsive to the unique needs of the students in their classroom.
Once given, the student should put their Sapphires in a safe, designated place. Teachers may assist students with keeping track of their Sapphires earned using a “Sapphire Tracker”.
Teachers may use Sapphires or their own system, but whatever system they choose to use MUST afford their students the opportunity to earn rewards in our school-wide system, and keep in mind that students may be receiving sapphires from other adults in the building.
Once a student earns a designated amount of Sapphires (or other classroom token) they will be able to choose a “Storm Tag” in the office or a “Time-In Reward” with a staff member.
A “Storm Tag” is a small dog-tag-like prize that students can collect and attach to their backpacks on a small chain. A “Time-In Reward” is a free or very inexpensive special experience that is offered by a staff member with the goal of building relationships and connections between staff and students. It could be something simple like ‘Popcorn with the Principal’, a special lunch, time to share a craft activity, or simply an extra recess with a friend.
Classroom teachers will help their students choose a reward from a menu of Time-In Rewards, which will change monthly. All staff are required to offer a Time-In Reward a couple of times during a one-month period during the school year. (ex: 2-3 times in the month of April) Staff will sign up to offer Time-In Rewards via Google form.
Positive Postcards
All staff in the building will have the opportunity to send positive postcards home to students. Each staff member will receive a stack of postcards, with extras being housed in the office. Staff members are to fill out the postcard, speak with the student regarding why they are receiving the postcard, and give the card to the office staff to be stamped and sent home.
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