PBIS Home

Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS)

What is PBIS?

PBIS stands for Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports. It is a proactive systems approach to establishing behavioral supports and a social culture which support all students to achieve social, emotional, and academic success.

At East Maine, PBIS is supported through four main components: expectations, referrals, Gotchas, and celebrations. The goal is to create a positive environment where children learn to understand their behaviors, correct their mistakes, and develop empathy for others. PBIS is used throughout District 63 and the state of Illinois. For more information, please visit the Midwest PBIS Network. 

Prevention Principles and practices:
All District 63 schools have school-wide expectations. All Behavior expectations are positively stated, and express what behaviors are expected at school. We explicitly teach each student the expectations across all school settings. By explaining and practicing expected behaviors, we ensure that all students are aware of what behaviors are expected when they are in the classroom, hallway, lunchroom, bathroom, or anywhere else on school premises. Each building has a team that meets to review data and plan events to support all student behavior learning, as well as to support students who need additional supports for behavior.

Here is a link to a sample matrix. It will show the school-wide expectations in various school environments: Matrix Link

What is a Gotcha? Gotchas (aka, Bones, Paws, Caught being Cool, etc.) are a component of PBIS and are used to acknowledge and encourage positive student behavior. Teachers and staff give a child a “Gotcha” acknowledgment when he or she has followed the expectations of the classroom or school. Gotchas can be turned in for rewards. These can include a special activity with a teacher, a small token, or other small rewards. Throughout the year, the entire school will celebrate positive behavior as a whole. In the past, whole school celebrations have included assembles with interesting presenters, paper airplane competition, whole school BINGO, Pajama days, or even school dance parties.