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This is especially true of behavior expectations. But it doesn’t have to be that way. 

Principal Bob Salladino and the Springton Lake Middle School staff have created an environment in their building that is built around students meeting and exceeding the behavior expectations they’ve set for them.

They’ve done it by intentionally emphasizing the important things for student success. But it’s much more than that. This has been a coordinated effort at Springton that we can all emulate. 

Students aren’t going to cooperate just because you created an acronym and put it on a poster. It’s nice to think that all students will be intrinsically motivated and maybe they just need a reminder of what the right thing is. No. It takes buy-in and consistency

You need buy-in from the entire staff and you need to be consistent with how you teach expectations as well as how you reward students for meeting those expectations. Before we go further, let’s take a look at what exactly behavior expectations are.

“Our mantra is every student every day, no matter what.” - Principal Bob Salladino

What are Behavior Expectations?

Behavior expectations or PBIS expectations, serve as the guiding principles that shape the conduct and interactions within a learning environment. They encompass a wide array of behaviors, from basic classroom etiquette to more nuanced social interactions. 

Think of expectations as standards for success. If these things happen, then your students, and your school, will be successful. 

At their core, behavior expectations are the cornerstone upon which a positive and productive behavior management system is built. At SLMS, the expectations are tied to fun. If students do what they’re supposed to then they will be recognized and celebrated for doing so.

“I want them to learn, I want them to be successful, but I also want this to be a positive experience for them every day.” - Principal Bob Salladino

Aligning Behavior Expectations with Reality

So how do you make sure that the school your staff has envisioned is the campus they work in? It’s all about how you teach and reinforce the expectations of the building. 

If you communicate the desired results effectively and then recognize students for doing well then you’re going to get the desired response more often than not. 

Teaching Your Behavior Expectations

Effective communication lies at the heart of instilling behavior expectations within the school community. To ensure that your vision aligns with the reality on campus, consider the following strategies to enhance instruction and reinforce these expectations:

Utilize Multimedia Resources 

Leverage the power of video to convey behavior expectations in engaging ways. Incorporate videos showcasing model behaviors, with students and staff demonstrating appropriate conduct. Visual aids not only capture attention but also provide clear examples for students to emulate.

Peer Interaction

Encourage peer-to-peer discussions and activities centered around behavior expectations. Collaborative learning experiences foster a sense of shared responsibility and accountability among students. 

Peer-led discussions allow for reinforcing expectations that resonate with their peers. This in turn makes buy-in amongst your students much easier to obtain.

Regular Refreshers 

Implement regular refreshers and reboots to ensure that behavior expectations remain in students' minds. Periodic reviews serve as gentle reminders, preventing complacency and reinforcing the significance of these standards. 

Consider incorporating brief classroom sessions, newsletters, or announcements to reinforce expectations consistently.

“We really wanted to spend some time teaching the expectations. Kids don't respond to hearing something just once or twice. So we felt like we needed to do periodic reboots or refreshers.” - Principal Bob Salladino

Staff Consistency

Ensure consistency among staff members in teaching and reinforcing behavior expectations. Unified messaging across all levels of the school reinforces the importance of these standards and cultivates a cohesive school culture. 

By embracing these strategies, you can effectively communicate behavior expectations and empower students to meet and exceed these standards. Remember, the key lies in fostering a culture of accountability, respect, and continuous growth within your school community.

Reinforcing Your Behavior Expectations

At SLMS, the staff is committed to making their school a fun place to teach and learn. They organize "Mega Prize Table Day" multiple times throughout the year, strategically aligning it with significant breaks like winter and spring breaks, as well as towards the end of the school year. 

While students have the opportunity to redeem their PBIS points or “Spartan Bucks” for various rewards throughout the year, students make choices on spending or saving those bucks. This has the added benefit of embedding financial literacy into the fabric of your plan.

During Mega Prize Table Day, all hands are on deck. Around 15 tables filled with a variety of enticing prizes are set up, and raffles add to the excitement. It's a bustling event where everyone pitches in to make it a success. 

Students browse, select their desired items, and manage their purchases through LiveSchool. It's a hands-on experience where students get to explore and choose their rewards, making Mega Prize Table Day a highlight of the school year.

Customizing Behavior Expectations

The biggest key to the success at SLMS might just be the willingness to adjust to the needs of their staff. When teachers began reporting that cell phone usage by students was becoming a problem, they adjusted their expectations to address it.

They have a team of teachers looking at LiveSchool data and discipline referrals. They determined the hotspot of behavior issues in the building centered on cell phone use. As a result, they’ve made a big effort to teach and reinforce expectations around cell phones. 

If you need information on creating and reinforcing behavior expectations like SLMS, you should check out our database of behavior rubric examples.

Let’s take this to your inbox
We’ll send you our monthly newsletter which is fully stocked with free resources like articles, videos, podcasts, reward ideas, and anything else we can think of to help you make your school awesome.
We all have expectations for how we’d like our schools to operate - but sometimes those expectations don’t exactly meet the reality on our campuses.

This is especially true of behavior expectations. But it doesn’t have to be that way. 

Principal Bob Salladino and the Springton Lake Middle School staff have created an environment in their building that is built around students meeting and exceeding the behavior expectations they’ve set for them.

They’ve done it by intentionally emphasizing the important things for student success. But it’s much more than that. This has been a coordinated effort at Springton that we can all emulate. 

Students aren’t going to cooperate just because you created an acronym and put it on a poster. It’s nice to think that all students will be intrinsically motivated and maybe they just need a reminder of what the right thing is. No. It takes buy-in and consistency

You need buy-in from the entire staff and you need to be consistent with how you teach expectations as well as how you reward students for meeting those expectations. Before we go further, let’s take a look at what exactly behavior expectations are.

“Our mantra is every student every day, no matter what.” - Principal Bob Salladino

What are Behavior Expectations?

Behavior expectations or PBIS expectations, serve as the guiding principles that shape the conduct and interactions within a learning environment. They encompass a wide array of behaviors, from basic classroom etiquette to more nuanced social interactions. 

Think of expectations as standards for success. If these things happen, then your students, and your school, will be successful. 

At their core, behavior expectations are the cornerstone upon which a positive and productive behavior management system is built. At SLMS, the expectations are tied to fun. If students do what they’re supposed to then they will be recognized and celebrated for doing so.

“I want them to learn, I want them to be successful, but I also want this to be a positive experience for them every day.” - Principal Bob Salladino

Aligning Behavior Expectations with Reality

So how do you make sure that the school your staff has envisioned is the campus they work in? It’s all about how you teach and reinforce the expectations of the building. 

If you communicate the desired results effectively and then recognize students for doing well then you’re going to get the desired response more often than not. 

Teaching Your Behavior Expectations

Effective communication lies at the heart of instilling behavior expectations within the school community. To ensure that your vision aligns with the reality on campus, consider the following strategies to enhance instruction and reinforce these expectations:

Utilize Multimedia Resources 

Leverage the power of video to convey behavior expectations in engaging ways. Incorporate videos showcasing model behaviors, with students and staff demonstrating appropriate conduct. Visual aids not only capture attention but also provide clear examples for students to emulate.

Peer Interaction

Encourage peer-to-peer discussions and activities centered around behavior expectations. Collaborative learning experiences foster a sense of shared responsibility and accountability among students. 

Peer-led discussions allow for reinforcing expectations that resonate with their peers. This in turn makes buy-in amongst your students much easier to obtain.

Regular Refreshers 

Implement regular refreshers and reboots to ensure that behavior expectations remain in students' minds. Periodic reviews serve as gentle reminders, preventing complacency and reinforcing the significance of these standards. 

Consider incorporating brief classroom sessions, newsletters, or announcements to reinforce expectations consistently.

“We really wanted to spend some time teaching the expectations. Kids don't respond to hearing something just once or twice. So we felt like we needed to do periodic reboots or refreshers.” - Principal Bob Salladino

Staff Consistency

Ensure consistency among staff members in teaching and reinforcing behavior expectations. Unified messaging across all levels of the school reinforces the importance of these standards and cultivates a cohesive school culture. 

By embracing these strategies, you can effectively communicate behavior expectations and empower students to meet and exceed these standards. Remember, the key lies in fostering a culture of accountability, respect, and continuous growth within your school community.

Reinforcing Your Behavior Expectations

At SLMS, the staff is committed to making their school a fun place to teach and learn. They organize "Mega Prize Table Day" multiple times throughout the year, strategically aligning it with significant breaks like winter and spring breaks, as well as towards the end of the school year. 

While students have the opportunity to redeem their PBIS points or “Spartan Bucks” for various rewards throughout the year, students make choices on spending or saving those bucks. This has the added benefit of embedding financial literacy into the fabric of your plan.

During Mega Prize Table Day, all hands are on deck. Around 15 tables filled with a variety of enticing prizes are set up, and raffles add to the excitement. It's a bustling event where everyone pitches in to make it a success. 

Students browse, select their desired items, and manage their purchases through LiveSchool. It's a hands-on experience where students get to explore and choose their rewards, making Mega Prize Table Day a highlight of the school year.

Customizing Behavior Expectations

The biggest key to the success at SLMS might just be the willingness to adjust to the needs of their staff. When teachers began reporting that cell phone usage by students was becoming a problem, they adjusted their expectations to address it.

They have a team of teachers looking at LiveSchool data and discipline referrals. They determined the hotspot of behavior issues in the building centered on cell phone use. As a result, they’ve made a big effort to teach and reinforce expectations around cell phones. 

If you need information on creating and reinforcing behavior expectations like SLMS, you should check out our database of behavior rubric examples.

Let’s take this to your inbox
We’ll send you our monthly newsletter which is fully stocked with free resources like articles, videos, podcasts, reward ideas, and anything else we can think of to help you make your school awesome.

This is especially true of behavior expectations. But it doesn’t have to be that way. 

Principal Bob Salladino and the Springton Lake Middle School staff have created an environment in their building that is built around students meeting and exceeding the behavior expectations they’ve set for them.

They’ve done it by intentionally emphasizing the important things for student success. But it’s much more than that. This has been a coordinated effort at Springton that we can all emulate. 

Students aren’t going to cooperate just because you created an acronym and put it on a poster. It’s nice to think that all students will be intrinsically motivated and maybe they just need a reminder of what the right thing is. No. It takes buy-in and consistency

You need buy-in from the entire staff and you need to be consistent with how you teach expectations as well as how you reward students for meeting those expectations. Before we go further, let’s take a look at what exactly behavior expectations are.

“Our mantra is every student every day, no matter what.” - Principal Bob Salladino

What are Behavior Expectations?

Behavior expectations or PBIS expectations, serve as the guiding principles that shape the conduct and interactions within a learning environment. They encompass a wide array of behaviors, from basic classroom etiquette to more nuanced social interactions. 

Think of expectations as standards for success. If these things happen, then your students, and your school, will be successful. 

At their core, behavior expectations are the cornerstone upon which a positive and productive behavior management system is built. At SLMS, the expectations are tied to fun. If students do what they’re supposed to then they will be recognized and celebrated for doing so.

“I want them to learn, I want them to be successful, but I also want this to be a positive experience for them every day.” - Principal Bob Salladino

Aligning Behavior Expectations with Reality

So how do you make sure that the school your staff has envisioned is the campus they work in? It’s all about how you teach and reinforce the expectations of the building. 

If you communicate the desired results effectively and then recognize students for doing well then you’re going to get the desired response more often than not. 

Teaching Your Behavior Expectations

Effective communication lies at the heart of instilling behavior expectations within the school community. To ensure that your vision aligns with the reality on campus, consider the following strategies to enhance instruction and reinforce these expectations:

Utilize Multimedia Resources 

Leverage the power of video to convey behavior expectations in engaging ways. Incorporate videos showcasing model behaviors, with students and staff demonstrating appropriate conduct. Visual aids not only capture attention but also provide clear examples for students to emulate.

Peer Interaction

Encourage peer-to-peer discussions and activities centered around behavior expectations. Collaborative learning experiences foster a sense of shared responsibility and accountability among students. 

Peer-led discussions allow for reinforcing expectations that resonate with their peers. This in turn makes buy-in amongst your students much easier to obtain.

Regular Refreshers 

Implement regular refreshers and reboots to ensure that behavior expectations remain in students' minds. Periodic reviews serve as gentle reminders, preventing complacency and reinforcing the significance of these standards. 

Consider incorporating brief classroom sessions, newsletters, or announcements to reinforce expectations consistently.

“We really wanted to spend some time teaching the expectations. Kids don't respond to hearing something just once or twice. So we felt like we needed to do periodic reboots or refreshers.” - Principal Bob Salladino

Staff Consistency

Ensure consistency among staff members in teaching and reinforcing behavior expectations. Unified messaging across all levels of the school reinforces the importance of these standards and cultivates a cohesive school culture. 

By embracing these strategies, you can effectively communicate behavior expectations and empower students to meet and exceed these standards. Remember, the key lies in fostering a culture of accountability, respect, and continuous growth within your school community.

Reinforcing Your Behavior Expectations

At SLMS, the staff is committed to making their school a fun place to teach and learn. They organize "Mega Prize Table Day" multiple times throughout the year, strategically aligning it with significant breaks like winter and spring breaks, as well as towards the end of the school year. 

While students have the opportunity to redeem their PBIS points or “Spartan Bucks” for various rewards throughout the year, students make choices on spending or saving those bucks. This has the added benefit of embedding financial literacy into the fabric of your plan.

During Mega Prize Table Day, all hands are on deck. Around 15 tables filled with a variety of enticing prizes are set up, and raffles add to the excitement. It's a bustling event where everyone pitches in to make it a success. 

Students browse, select their desired items, and manage their purchases through LiveSchool. It's a hands-on experience where students get to explore and choose their rewards, making Mega Prize Table Day a highlight of the school year.

Customizing Behavior Expectations

The biggest key to the success at SLMS might just be the willingness to adjust to the needs of their staff. When teachers began reporting that cell phone usage by students was becoming a problem, they adjusted their expectations to address it.

They have a team of teachers looking at LiveSchool data and discipline referrals. They determined the hotspot of behavior issues in the building centered on cell phone use. As a result, they’ve made a big effort to teach and reinforce expectations around cell phones. 

If you need information on creating and reinforcing behavior expectations like SLMS, you should check out our database of behavior rubric examples.

Let’s take this to your inbox
We’ll send you our monthly newsletter which is fully stocked with free resources like articles, videos, podcasts, reward ideas, and anything else we can think of to help you make your school awesome.

About the Presenter

Jordan resides in Lexington, Kentucky. He has experience in Public Education as an Administrator, Science Teacher, and as a Coach. He has extensive experience with School Discipline, PBIS, SEL, Restorative Practices, MTSS, and Trauma-Informed Care.

About the Event

This is especially true of behavior expectations. But it doesn’t have to be that way. 

Principal Bob Salladino and the Springton Lake Middle School staff have created an environment in their building that is built around students meeting and exceeding the behavior expectations they’ve set for them.

They’ve done it by intentionally emphasizing the important things for student success. But it’s much more than that. This has been a coordinated effort at Springton that we can all emulate. 

Students aren’t going to cooperate just because you created an acronym and put it on a poster. It’s nice to think that all students will be intrinsically motivated and maybe they just need a reminder of what the right thing is. No. It takes buy-in and consistency

You need buy-in from the entire staff and you need to be consistent with how you teach expectations as well as how you reward students for meeting those expectations. Before we go further, let’s take a look at what exactly behavior expectations are.

“Our mantra is every student every day, no matter what.” - Principal Bob Salladino

What are Behavior Expectations?

Behavior expectations or PBIS expectations, serve as the guiding principles that shape the conduct and interactions within a learning environment. They encompass a wide array of behaviors, from basic classroom etiquette to more nuanced social interactions. 

Think of expectations as standards for success. If these things happen, then your students, and your school, will be successful. 

At their core, behavior expectations are the cornerstone upon which a positive and productive behavior management system is built. At SLMS, the expectations are tied to fun. If students do what they’re supposed to then they will be recognized and celebrated for doing so.

“I want them to learn, I want them to be successful, but I also want this to be a positive experience for them every day.” - Principal Bob Salladino

Aligning Behavior Expectations with Reality

So how do you make sure that the school your staff has envisioned is the campus they work in? It’s all about how you teach and reinforce the expectations of the building. 

If you communicate the desired results effectively and then recognize students for doing well then you’re going to get the desired response more often than not. 

Teaching Your Behavior Expectations

Effective communication lies at the heart of instilling behavior expectations within the school community. To ensure that your vision aligns with the reality on campus, consider the following strategies to enhance instruction and reinforce these expectations:

Utilize Multimedia Resources 

Leverage the power of video to convey behavior expectations in engaging ways. Incorporate videos showcasing model behaviors, with students and staff demonstrating appropriate conduct. Visual aids not only capture attention but also provide clear examples for students to emulate.

Peer Interaction

Encourage peer-to-peer discussions and activities centered around behavior expectations. Collaborative learning experiences foster a sense of shared responsibility and accountability among students. 

Peer-led discussions allow for reinforcing expectations that resonate with their peers. This in turn makes buy-in amongst your students much easier to obtain.

Regular Refreshers 

Implement regular refreshers and reboots to ensure that behavior expectations remain in students' minds. Periodic reviews serve as gentle reminders, preventing complacency and reinforcing the significance of these standards. 

Consider incorporating brief classroom sessions, newsletters, or announcements to reinforce expectations consistently.

“We really wanted to spend some time teaching the expectations. Kids don't respond to hearing something just once or twice. So we felt like we needed to do periodic reboots or refreshers.” - Principal Bob Salladino

Staff Consistency

Ensure consistency among staff members in teaching and reinforcing behavior expectations. Unified messaging across all levels of the school reinforces the importance of these standards and cultivates a cohesive school culture. 

By embracing these strategies, you can effectively communicate behavior expectations and empower students to meet and exceed these standards. Remember, the key lies in fostering a culture of accountability, respect, and continuous growth within your school community.

Reinforcing Your Behavior Expectations

At SLMS, the staff is committed to making their school a fun place to teach and learn. They organize "Mega Prize Table Day" multiple times throughout the year, strategically aligning it with significant breaks like winter and spring breaks, as well as towards the end of the school year. 

While students have the opportunity to redeem their PBIS points or “Spartan Bucks” for various rewards throughout the year, students make choices on spending or saving those bucks. This has the added benefit of embedding financial literacy into the fabric of your plan.

During Mega Prize Table Day, all hands are on deck. Around 15 tables filled with a variety of enticing prizes are set up, and raffles add to the excitement. It's a bustling event where everyone pitches in to make it a success. 

Students browse, select their desired items, and manage their purchases through LiveSchool. It's a hands-on experience where students get to explore and choose their rewards, making Mega Prize Table Day a highlight of the school year.

Customizing Behavior Expectations

The biggest key to the success at SLMS might just be the willingness to adjust to the needs of their staff. When teachers began reporting that cell phone usage by students was becoming a problem, they adjusted their expectations to address it.

They have a team of teachers looking at LiveSchool data and discipline referrals. They determined the hotspot of behavior issues in the building centered on cell phone use. As a result, they’ve made a big effort to teach and reinforce expectations around cell phones. 

If you need information on creating and reinforcing behavior expectations like SLMS, you should check out our database of behavior rubric examples.

Register Now

About the Event

This is especially true of behavior expectations. But it doesn’t have to be that way. 

Principal Bob Salladino and the Springton Lake Middle School staff have created an environment in their building that is built around students meeting and exceeding the behavior expectations they’ve set for them.

They’ve done it by intentionally emphasizing the important things for student success. But it’s much more than that. This has been a coordinated effort at Springton that we can all emulate. 

Students aren’t going to cooperate just because you created an acronym and put it on a poster. It’s nice to think that all students will be intrinsically motivated and maybe they just need a reminder of what the right thing is. No. It takes buy-in and consistency

You need buy-in from the entire staff and you need to be consistent with how you teach expectations as well as how you reward students for meeting those expectations. Before we go further, let’s take a look at what exactly behavior expectations are.

“Our mantra is every student every day, no matter what.” - Principal Bob Salladino

What are Behavior Expectations?

Behavior expectations or PBIS expectations, serve as the guiding principles that shape the conduct and interactions within a learning environment. They encompass a wide array of behaviors, from basic classroom etiquette to more nuanced social interactions. 

Think of expectations as standards for success. If these things happen, then your students, and your school, will be successful. 

At their core, behavior expectations are the cornerstone upon which a positive and productive behavior management system is built. At SLMS, the expectations are tied to fun. If students do what they’re supposed to then they will be recognized and celebrated for doing so.

“I want them to learn, I want them to be successful, but I also want this to be a positive experience for them every day.” - Principal Bob Salladino

Aligning Behavior Expectations with Reality

So how do you make sure that the school your staff has envisioned is the campus they work in? It’s all about how you teach and reinforce the expectations of the building. 

If you communicate the desired results effectively and then recognize students for doing well then you’re going to get the desired response more often than not. 

Teaching Your Behavior Expectations

Effective communication lies at the heart of instilling behavior expectations within the school community. To ensure that your vision aligns with the reality on campus, consider the following strategies to enhance instruction and reinforce these expectations:

Utilize Multimedia Resources 

Leverage the power of video to convey behavior expectations in engaging ways. Incorporate videos showcasing model behaviors, with students and staff demonstrating appropriate conduct. Visual aids not only capture attention but also provide clear examples for students to emulate.

Peer Interaction

Encourage peer-to-peer discussions and activities centered around behavior expectations. Collaborative learning experiences foster a sense of shared responsibility and accountability among students. 

Peer-led discussions allow for reinforcing expectations that resonate with their peers. This in turn makes buy-in amongst your students much easier to obtain.

Regular Refreshers 

Implement regular refreshers and reboots to ensure that behavior expectations remain in students' minds. Periodic reviews serve as gentle reminders, preventing complacency and reinforcing the significance of these standards. 

Consider incorporating brief classroom sessions, newsletters, or announcements to reinforce expectations consistently.

“We really wanted to spend some time teaching the expectations. Kids don't respond to hearing something just once or twice. So we felt like we needed to do periodic reboots or refreshers.” - Principal Bob Salladino

Staff Consistency

Ensure consistency among staff members in teaching and reinforcing behavior expectations. Unified messaging across all levels of the school reinforces the importance of these standards and cultivates a cohesive school culture. 

By embracing these strategies, you can effectively communicate behavior expectations and empower students to meet and exceed these standards. Remember, the key lies in fostering a culture of accountability, respect, and continuous growth within your school community.

Reinforcing Your Behavior Expectations

At SLMS, the staff is committed to making their school a fun place to teach and learn. They organize "Mega Prize Table Day" multiple times throughout the year, strategically aligning it with significant breaks like winter and spring breaks, as well as towards the end of the school year. 

While students have the opportunity to redeem their PBIS points or “Spartan Bucks” for various rewards throughout the year, students make choices on spending or saving those bucks. This has the added benefit of embedding financial literacy into the fabric of your plan.

During Mega Prize Table Day, all hands are on deck. Around 15 tables filled with a variety of enticing prizes are set up, and raffles add to the excitement. It's a bustling event where everyone pitches in to make it a success. 

Students browse, select their desired items, and manage their purchases through LiveSchool. It's a hands-on experience where students get to explore and choose their rewards, making Mega Prize Table Day a highlight of the school year.

Customizing Behavior Expectations

The biggest key to the success at SLMS might just be the willingness to adjust to the needs of their staff. When teachers began reporting that cell phone usage by students was becoming a problem, they adjusted their expectations to address it.

They have a team of teachers looking at LiveSchool data and discipline referrals. They determined the hotspot of behavior issues in the building centered on cell phone use. As a result, they’ve made a big effort to teach and reinforce expectations around cell phones. 

If you need information on creating and reinforcing behavior expectations like SLMS, you should check out our database of behavior rubric examples.

Let’s take this to your inbox
We’ll send you our monthly newsletter which is fully stocked with free resources like articles, videos, podcasts, reward ideas, and anything else we can think of to help you make your school awesome.

We all have expectations for how we’d like our schools to operate - but sometimes those expectations don’t exactly meet the reality on our campuses.

This is especially true of behavior expectations. But it doesn’t have to be that way. 

Principal Bob Salladino and the Springton Lake Middle School staff have created an environment in their building that is built around students meeting and exceeding the behavior expectations they’ve set for them.

They’ve done it by intentionally emphasizing the important things for student success. But it’s much more than that. This has been a coordinated effort at Springton that we can all emulate. 

Students aren’t going to cooperate just because you created an acronym and put it on a poster. It’s nice to think that all students will be intrinsically motivated and maybe they just need a reminder of what the right thing is. No. It takes buy-in and consistency

You need buy-in from the entire staff and you need to be consistent with how you teach expectations as well as how you reward students for meeting those expectations. Before we go further, let’s take a look at what exactly behavior expectations are.

“Our mantra is every student every day, no matter what.” - Principal Bob Salladino

What are Behavior Expectations?

Behavior expectations or PBIS expectations, serve as the guiding principles that shape the conduct and interactions within a learning environment. They encompass a wide array of behaviors, from basic classroom etiquette to more nuanced social interactions. 

Think of expectations as standards for success. If these things happen, then your students, and your school, will be successful. 

At their core, behavior expectations are the cornerstone upon which a positive and productive behavior management system is built. At SLMS, the expectations are tied to fun. If students do what they’re supposed to then they will be recognized and celebrated for doing so.

“I want them to learn, I want them to be successful, but I also want this to be a positive experience for them every day.” - Principal Bob Salladino

Aligning Behavior Expectations with Reality

So how do you make sure that the school your staff has envisioned is the campus they work in? It’s all about how you teach and reinforce the expectations of the building. 

If you communicate the desired results effectively and then recognize students for doing well then you’re going to get the desired response more often than not. 

Teaching Your Behavior Expectations

Effective communication lies at the heart of instilling behavior expectations within the school community. To ensure that your vision aligns with the reality on campus, consider the following strategies to enhance instruction and reinforce these expectations:

Utilize Multimedia Resources 

Leverage the power of video to convey behavior expectations in engaging ways. Incorporate videos showcasing model behaviors, with students and staff demonstrating appropriate conduct. Visual aids not only capture attention but also provide clear examples for students to emulate.

Peer Interaction

Encourage peer-to-peer discussions and activities centered around behavior expectations. Collaborative learning experiences foster a sense of shared responsibility and accountability among students. 

Peer-led discussions allow for reinforcing expectations that resonate with their peers. This in turn makes buy-in amongst your students much easier to obtain.

Regular Refreshers 

Implement regular refreshers and reboots to ensure that behavior expectations remain in students' minds. Periodic reviews serve as gentle reminders, preventing complacency and reinforcing the significance of these standards. 

Consider incorporating brief classroom sessions, newsletters, or announcements to reinforce expectations consistently.

“We really wanted to spend some time teaching the expectations. Kids don't respond to hearing something just once or twice. So we felt like we needed to do periodic reboots or refreshers.” - Principal Bob Salladino

Staff Consistency

Ensure consistency among staff members in teaching and reinforcing behavior expectations. Unified messaging across all levels of the school reinforces the importance of these standards and cultivates a cohesive school culture. 

By embracing these strategies, you can effectively communicate behavior expectations and empower students to meet and exceed these standards. Remember, the key lies in fostering a culture of accountability, respect, and continuous growth within your school community.

Reinforcing Your Behavior Expectations

At SLMS, the staff is committed to making their school a fun place to teach and learn. They organize "Mega Prize Table Day" multiple times throughout the year, strategically aligning it with significant breaks like winter and spring breaks, as well as towards the end of the school year. 

While students have the opportunity to redeem their PBIS points or “Spartan Bucks” for various rewards throughout the year, students make choices on spending or saving those bucks. This has the added benefit of embedding financial literacy into the fabric of your plan.

During Mega Prize Table Day, all hands are on deck. Around 15 tables filled with a variety of enticing prizes are set up, and raffles add to the excitement. It's a bustling event where everyone pitches in to make it a success. 

Students browse, select their desired items, and manage their purchases through LiveSchool. It's a hands-on experience where students get to explore and choose their rewards, making Mega Prize Table Day a highlight of the school year.

Customizing Behavior Expectations

The biggest key to the success at SLMS might just be the willingness to adjust to the needs of their staff. When teachers began reporting that cell phone usage by students was becoming a problem, they adjusted their expectations to address it.

They have a team of teachers looking at LiveSchool data and discipline referrals. They determined the hotspot of behavior issues in the building centered on cell phone use. As a result, they’ve made a big effort to teach and reinforce expectations around cell phones. 

If you need information on creating and reinforcing behavior expectations like SLMS, you should check out our database of behavior rubric examples.

Learn more about the author, 
Jordan Pruitt
 
Let’s take this to your inbox
We’ll send you our monthly newsletter which is fully stocked with free resources like articles, videos, podcasts, reward ideas, and anything else we can think of to help you make your school awesome.

We all have expectations for how we’d like our schools to operate - but sometimes those expectations don’t exactly meet the reality on our campuses.

This is especially true of behavior expectations. But it doesn’t have to be that way. 

Principal Bob Salladino and the Springton Lake Middle School staff have created an environment in their building that is built around students meeting and exceeding the behavior expectations they’ve set for them.

They’ve done it by intentionally emphasizing the important things for student success. But it’s much more than that. This has been a coordinated effort at Springton that we can all emulate. 

Students aren’t going to cooperate just because you created an acronym and put it on a poster. It’s nice to think that all students will be intrinsically motivated and maybe they just need a reminder of what the right thing is. No. It takes buy-in and consistency

You need buy-in from the entire staff and you need to be consistent with how you teach expectations as well as how you reward students for meeting those expectations. Before we go further, let’s take a look at what exactly behavior expectations are.

“Our mantra is every student every day, no matter what.” - Principal Bob Salladino

What are Behavior Expectations?

Behavior expectations or PBIS expectations, serve as the guiding principles that shape the conduct and interactions within a learning environment. They encompass a wide array of behaviors, from basic classroom etiquette to more nuanced social interactions. 

Think of expectations as standards for success. If these things happen, then your students, and your school, will be successful. 

At their core, behavior expectations are the cornerstone upon which a positive and productive behavior management system is built. At SLMS, the expectations are tied to fun. If students do what they’re supposed to then they will be recognized and celebrated for doing so.

“I want them to learn, I want them to be successful, but I also want this to be a positive experience for them every day.” - Principal Bob Salladino

Aligning Behavior Expectations with Reality

So how do you make sure that the school your staff has envisioned is the campus they work in? It’s all about how you teach and reinforce the expectations of the building. 

If you communicate the desired results effectively and then recognize students for doing well then you’re going to get the desired response more often than not. 

Teaching Your Behavior Expectations

Effective communication lies at the heart of instilling behavior expectations within the school community. To ensure that your vision aligns with the reality on campus, consider the following strategies to enhance instruction and reinforce these expectations:

Utilize Multimedia Resources 

Leverage the power of video to convey behavior expectations in engaging ways. Incorporate videos showcasing model behaviors, with students and staff demonstrating appropriate conduct. Visual aids not only capture attention but also provide clear examples for students to emulate.

Peer Interaction

Encourage peer-to-peer discussions and activities centered around behavior expectations. Collaborative learning experiences foster a sense of shared responsibility and accountability among students. 

Peer-led discussions allow for reinforcing expectations that resonate with their peers. This in turn makes buy-in amongst your students much easier to obtain.

Regular Refreshers 

Implement regular refreshers and reboots to ensure that behavior expectations remain in students' minds. Periodic reviews serve as gentle reminders, preventing complacency and reinforcing the significance of these standards. 

Consider incorporating brief classroom sessions, newsletters, or announcements to reinforce expectations consistently.

“We really wanted to spend some time teaching the expectations. Kids don't respond to hearing something just once or twice. So we felt like we needed to do periodic reboots or refreshers.” - Principal Bob Salladino

Staff Consistency

Ensure consistency among staff members in teaching and reinforcing behavior expectations. Unified messaging across all levels of the school reinforces the importance of these standards and cultivates a cohesive school culture. 

By embracing these strategies, you can effectively communicate behavior expectations and empower students to meet and exceed these standards. Remember, the key lies in fostering a culture of accountability, respect, and continuous growth within your school community.

Reinforcing Your Behavior Expectations

At SLMS, the staff is committed to making their school a fun place to teach and learn. They organize "Mega Prize Table Day" multiple times throughout the year, strategically aligning it with significant breaks like winter and spring breaks, as well as towards the end of the school year. 

While students have the opportunity to redeem their PBIS points or “Spartan Bucks” for various rewards throughout the year, students make choices on spending or saving those bucks. This has the added benefit of embedding financial literacy into the fabric of your plan.

During Mega Prize Table Day, all hands are on deck. Around 15 tables filled with a variety of enticing prizes are set up, and raffles add to the excitement. It's a bustling event where everyone pitches in to make it a success. 

Students browse, select their desired items, and manage their purchases through LiveSchool. It's a hands-on experience where students get to explore and choose their rewards, making Mega Prize Table Day a highlight of the school year.

Customizing Behavior Expectations

The biggest key to the success at SLMS might just be the willingness to adjust to the needs of their staff. When teachers began reporting that cell phone usage by students was becoming a problem, they adjusted their expectations to address it.

They have a team of teachers looking at LiveSchool data and discipline referrals. They determined the hotspot of behavior issues in the building centered on cell phone use. As a result, they’ve made a big effort to teach and reinforce expectations around cell phones. 

If you need information on creating and reinforcing behavior expectations like SLMS, you should check out our database of behavior rubric examples.

Learn more about the author, 
Jordan Pruitt
 

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