How to transform your student rewards into large-scale, community-building events.
Explore 100+ ideas from schools like yours.
Explore school-wide behavior expectations from other schools.
The best Houses reflect your school’s unique culture. Browse examples from real schools and start brainstorming your House system!
Track behavior, motivate students, and promote a positive culture — all in one easy platform.
“We have an after-school event I’d like you guys to see.”
That was the message the team and I got from Principal Jay Maines at Del Valle Elementary.
We originally reached out to visit Jay and his staff based on a webinar he hosted for us where they shared some very impressive gains with student behavior. In 5 years they had reduced referrals by 82% and suspensions by 93%.
For me, a former school behavior lead, those are the kind of results that I just had to see in person.
So we visited DVE and got to see their plan in action. The leadership and consistency during the school day were astounding. If you’d like some details on the plans and processes in action at Del Valle you can see all the intricacies here.
But the purpose of this article isn’t to talk about PBIS, behavior management, or how Del Valle uses CHAMPS in the classroom. They are outstanding in all of those areas and you can hear my thoughts on what I observed at DVE here:
But what I’d really like to share with you is the glue that holds all the processes together: Student Reward Events.
Specifically, I want to share the experience that the DVE staff put together for students and their families to reward them for meeting the high expectations they set during the school day. For the kiddos at Del Valle…it was time to “level up”.
At Del Valle, everything is points based. They use LiveSchool points to gamify the processes they need students to excel at in order to be successful in school.
Students use appropriate voice levels…LiveSchool points. Appropriate behavior in the hallways…LiveSchool points. Excelling or pushing through adversity in the classroom…LiveSchool points.
Do well in school and you earn points. Just like a video game, and just like a video game, when you reach a certain point threshold…you “level up”. If you haven’t been to a school that operates this way you should schedule a visit!
It’s so cool to see kiddos who are excited about their school. But this particular event wasn’t just for students. At DVE they really strive to include the community and student families in the success of the school.
That’s why when I arrived at the event I saw a line that stretched up and down every available inch of sidewalk space around the school.
This was a family event. It is one thing to say you are all about community and family outreach but the schools that really shine are the ones who put those words into action.
So what did they have inside those doors that over 1,000 people would line up for on a Thursday afternoon?
They had everything you’d ever want for a fun school event…including:
And that’s in addition to the main event: the House Celebration which they named the “Level Up” champion from their spring House Challenge.
If you’re curious about the House system at Del Valle that led to such an awesome event you should check out these guides on Houses:
There is no better way to create your “community within a community” than by implementing a House System in your school.
Although it certainly helps, you don’t have to be a House System school to host events like DVE. Hosting student reward events that parents can attend with their students is a great way to bridge the gap between home and any school.
It can create a sense of community between parents, teachers, and students, and help to foster a positive learning environment. Additionally, it allows parents to understand the expectations and goals of the school and provides an opportunity to discuss ways in which they can help their children achieve success.
By hosting student reward events that parents can attend, you also build trust and open the lines of communication between parents and teachers. This encourages parents to be active participants in their child’s academic journey and provides an opportunity to speak with teachers one-on-one.
Parents can also meet other parents and students, providing a great opportunity to build those connective relationships as well.
So how do you create that environment where your rewards aren’t just effective…but anticipated. Here are three ideas we picked up from Jay and Del Valle:
This seems like a small consideration. But it’s a big one. What time will you host the event? Your answer may be to host the event when it is most convenient for the school. This might mean you host the event during the school day when staff and students are already present.
But who’s missing from that equation? The adults who work outside of your building. If you can find a time they can attend, it will be worth it!
Your parents and community members will reinforce your values and expectations if they understand the process and what students are really doing in school.
The best way for them to understand the processes in place in your school culture is to host events at times when they can actually come into your school and interact with the amazing staff serving their students.
Who is the event for? Who do you want to motivate with the activities you choose to include in the event?
Your students!
So when it comes time to plan your event, make sure you have a good pulse on what your students are interested in and will be incentivized by. Time is limited and valuable, make sure you make the most of your events by asking your students what they really want.
Then after the event has been completed you should also poll parents about their experience so you can include that in future planning.
This goes back to the processes we mentioned above. Before the big things can work we have to get really good at the basics. Does your staff consistently implement the processes that lead to points for students? Do they see the benefits of motivating students in their classroom?
If the answer is yes to both of those questions you can be sure a large event like DVE’s “Level Up” will be successful in your community.
If the answer is no, you need to start with the basics of PBIS so your event is truly a reward for student achievement and not just another thing being asked of staff.
That being said, there are tons of other ways to motivate your students using rewards. The staff at DVE had some ideas that can help you in your planning as well:
Rewards provide a source of positive reinforcement that encourages students to continue to strive for their goals. They can also help to create a sense of accomplishment, which can lead to greater self-confidence and a more positive attitude towards learning.
But events like this at DVE go a step further than individual positive reinforcement. They actually work as community builders, which is something every school should be working to achieve. For more information on student reward events, check out episode 30 of our podcast!
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Explore 100+ ideas from schools like yours.
Explore school-wide behavior expectations from other schools.
The best Houses reflect your school’s unique culture. Browse examples from real schools and start brainstorming your House system!
Track behavior, motivate students, and promote a positive culture — all in one easy platform.
That was the message the team and I got from Principal Jay Maines at Del Valle Elementary.
We originally reached out to visit Jay and his staff based on a webinar he hosted for us where they shared some very impressive gains with student behavior. In 5 years they had reduced referrals by 82% and suspensions by 93%.
For me, a former school behavior lead, those are the kind of results that I just had to see in person.
So we visited DVE and got to see their plan in action. The leadership and consistency during the school day were astounding. If you’d like some details on the plans and processes in action at Del Valle you can see all the intricacies here.
But the purpose of this article isn’t to talk about PBIS, behavior management, or how Del Valle uses CHAMPS in the classroom. They are outstanding in all of those areas and you can hear my thoughts on what I observed at DVE here:
But what I’d really like to share with you is the glue that holds all the processes together: Student Reward Events.
Specifically, I want to share the experience that the DVE staff put together for students and their families to reward them for meeting the high expectations they set during the school day. For the kiddos at Del Valle…it was time to “level up”.
At Del Valle, everything is points based. They use LiveSchool points to gamify the processes they need students to excel at in order to be successful in school.
Students use appropriate voice levels…LiveSchool points. Appropriate behavior in the hallways…LiveSchool points. Excelling or pushing through adversity in the classroom…LiveSchool points.
Do well in school and you earn points. Just like a video game, and just like a video game, when you reach a certain point threshold…you “level up”. If you haven’t been to a school that operates this way you should schedule a visit!
It’s so cool to see kiddos who are excited about their school. But this particular event wasn’t just for students. At DVE they really strive to include the community and student families in the success of the school.
That’s why when I arrived at the event I saw a line that stretched up and down every available inch of sidewalk space around the school.
This was a family event. It is one thing to say you are all about community and family outreach but the schools that really shine are the ones who put those words into action.
So what did they have inside those doors that over 1,000 people would line up for on a Thursday afternoon?
They had everything you’d ever want for a fun school event…including:
And that’s in addition to the main event: the House Celebration which they named the “Level Up” champion from their spring House Challenge.
If you’re curious about the House system at Del Valle that led to such an awesome event you should check out these guides on Houses:
There is no better way to create your “community within a community” than by implementing a House System in your school.
Although it certainly helps, you don’t have to be a House System school to host events like DVE. Hosting student reward events that parents can attend with their students is a great way to bridge the gap between home and any school.
It can create a sense of community between parents, teachers, and students, and help to foster a positive learning environment. Additionally, it allows parents to understand the expectations and goals of the school and provides an opportunity to discuss ways in which they can help their children achieve success.
By hosting student reward events that parents can attend, you also build trust and open the lines of communication between parents and teachers. This encourages parents to be active participants in their child’s academic journey and provides an opportunity to speak with teachers one-on-one.
Parents can also meet other parents and students, providing a great opportunity to build those connective relationships as well.
So how do you create that environment where your rewards aren’t just effective…but anticipated. Here are three ideas we picked up from Jay and Del Valle:
This seems like a small consideration. But it’s a big one. What time will you host the event? Your answer may be to host the event when it is most convenient for the school. This might mean you host the event during the school day when staff and students are already present.
But who’s missing from that equation? The adults who work outside of your building. If you can find a time they can attend, it will be worth it!
Your parents and community members will reinforce your values and expectations if they understand the process and what students are really doing in school.
The best way for them to understand the processes in place in your school culture is to host events at times when they can actually come into your school and interact with the amazing staff serving their students.
Who is the event for? Who do you want to motivate with the activities you choose to include in the event?
Your students!
So when it comes time to plan your event, make sure you have a good pulse on what your students are interested in and will be incentivized by. Time is limited and valuable, make sure you make the most of your events by asking your students what they really want.
Then after the event has been completed you should also poll parents about their experience so you can include that in future planning.
This goes back to the processes we mentioned above. Before the big things can work we have to get really good at the basics. Does your staff consistently implement the processes that lead to points for students? Do they see the benefits of motivating students in their classroom?
If the answer is yes to both of those questions you can be sure a large event like DVE’s “Level Up” will be successful in your community.
If the answer is no, you need to start with the basics of PBIS so your event is truly a reward for student achievement and not just another thing being asked of staff.
That being said, there are tons of other ways to motivate your students using rewards. The staff at DVE had some ideas that can help you in your planning as well:
Rewards provide a source of positive reinforcement that encourages students to continue to strive for their goals. They can also help to create a sense of accomplishment, which can lead to greater self-confidence and a more positive attitude towards learning.
But events like this at DVE go a step further than individual positive reinforcement. They actually work as community builders, which is something every school should be working to achieve. For more information on student reward events, check out episode 30 of our podcast!
Explore 100+ ideas from schools like yours.
Explore school-wide behavior expectations from other schools.
The best Houses reflect your school’s unique culture. Browse examples from real schools and start brainstorming your House system!
Track behavior, motivate students, and promote a positive culture — all in one easy platform.
That was the message the team and I got from Principal Jay Maines at Del Valle Elementary.
We originally reached out to visit Jay and his staff based on a webinar he hosted for us where they shared some very impressive gains with student behavior. In 5 years they had reduced referrals by 82% and suspensions by 93%.
For me, a former school behavior lead, those are the kind of results that I just had to see in person.
So we visited DVE and got to see their plan in action. The leadership and consistency during the school day were astounding. If you’d like some details on the plans and processes in action at Del Valle you can see all the intricacies here.
But the purpose of this article isn’t to talk about PBIS, behavior management, or how Del Valle uses CHAMPS in the classroom. They are outstanding in all of those areas and you can hear my thoughts on what I observed at DVE here:
But what I’d really like to share with you is the glue that holds all the processes together: Student Reward Events.
Specifically, I want to share the experience that the DVE staff put together for students and their families to reward them for meeting the high expectations they set during the school day. For the kiddos at Del Valle…it was time to “level up”.
At Del Valle, everything is points based. They use LiveSchool points to gamify the processes they need students to excel at in order to be successful in school.
Students use appropriate voice levels…LiveSchool points. Appropriate behavior in the hallways…LiveSchool points. Excelling or pushing through adversity in the classroom…LiveSchool points.
Do well in school and you earn points. Just like a video game, and just like a video game, when you reach a certain point threshold…you “level up”. If you haven’t been to a school that operates this way you should schedule a visit!
It’s so cool to see kiddos who are excited about their school. But this particular event wasn’t just for students. At DVE they really strive to include the community and student families in the success of the school.
That’s why when I arrived at the event I saw a line that stretched up and down every available inch of sidewalk space around the school.
This was a family event. It is one thing to say you are all about community and family outreach but the schools that really shine are the ones who put those words into action.
So what did they have inside those doors that over 1,000 people would line up for on a Thursday afternoon?
They had everything you’d ever want for a fun school event…including:
And that’s in addition to the main event: the House Celebration which they named the “Level Up” champion from their spring House Challenge.
If you’re curious about the House system at Del Valle that led to such an awesome event you should check out these guides on Houses:
There is no better way to create your “community within a community” than by implementing a House System in your school.
Although it certainly helps, you don’t have to be a House System school to host events like DVE. Hosting student reward events that parents can attend with their students is a great way to bridge the gap between home and any school.
It can create a sense of community between parents, teachers, and students, and help to foster a positive learning environment. Additionally, it allows parents to understand the expectations and goals of the school and provides an opportunity to discuss ways in which they can help their children achieve success.
By hosting student reward events that parents can attend, you also build trust and open the lines of communication between parents and teachers. This encourages parents to be active participants in their child’s academic journey and provides an opportunity to speak with teachers one-on-one.
Parents can also meet other parents and students, providing a great opportunity to build those connective relationships as well.
So how do you create that environment where your rewards aren’t just effective…but anticipated. Here are three ideas we picked up from Jay and Del Valle:
This seems like a small consideration. But it’s a big one. What time will you host the event? Your answer may be to host the event when it is most convenient for the school. This might mean you host the event during the school day when staff and students are already present.
But who’s missing from that equation? The adults who work outside of your building. If you can find a time they can attend, it will be worth it!
Your parents and community members will reinforce your values and expectations if they understand the process and what students are really doing in school.
The best way for them to understand the processes in place in your school culture is to host events at times when they can actually come into your school and interact with the amazing staff serving their students.
Who is the event for? Who do you want to motivate with the activities you choose to include in the event?
Your students!
So when it comes time to plan your event, make sure you have a good pulse on what your students are interested in and will be incentivized by. Time is limited and valuable, make sure you make the most of your events by asking your students what they really want.
Then after the event has been completed you should also poll parents about their experience so you can include that in future planning.
This goes back to the processes we mentioned above. Before the big things can work we have to get really good at the basics. Does your staff consistently implement the processes that lead to points for students? Do they see the benefits of motivating students in their classroom?
If the answer is yes to both of those questions you can be sure a large event like DVE’s “Level Up” will be successful in your community.
If the answer is no, you need to start with the basics of PBIS so your event is truly a reward for student achievement and not just another thing being asked of staff.
That being said, there are tons of other ways to motivate your students using rewards. The staff at DVE had some ideas that can help you in your planning as well:
Rewards provide a source of positive reinforcement that encourages students to continue to strive for their goals. They can also help to create a sense of accomplishment, which can lead to greater self-confidence and a more positive attitude towards learning.
But events like this at DVE go a step further than individual positive reinforcement. They actually work as community builders, which is something every school should be working to achieve. For more information on student reward events, check out episode 30 of our podcast!
That was the message the team and I got from Principal Jay Maines at Del Valle Elementary.
We originally reached out to visit Jay and his staff based on a webinar he hosted for us where they shared some very impressive gains with student behavior. In 5 years they had reduced referrals by 82% and suspensions by 93%.
For me, a former school behavior lead, those are the kind of results that I just had to see in person.
So we visited DVE and got to see their plan in action. The leadership and consistency during the school day were astounding. If you’d like some details on the plans and processes in action at Del Valle you can see all the intricacies here.
But the purpose of this article isn’t to talk about PBIS, behavior management, or how Del Valle uses CHAMPS in the classroom. They are outstanding in all of those areas and you can hear my thoughts on what I observed at DVE here:
But what I’d really like to share with you is the glue that holds all the processes together: Student Reward Events.
Specifically, I want to share the experience that the DVE staff put together for students and their families to reward them for meeting the high expectations they set during the school day. For the kiddos at Del Valle…it was time to “level up”.
At Del Valle, everything is points based. They use LiveSchool points to gamify the processes they need students to excel at in order to be successful in school.
Students use appropriate voice levels…LiveSchool points. Appropriate behavior in the hallways…LiveSchool points. Excelling or pushing through adversity in the classroom…LiveSchool points.
Do well in school and you earn points. Just like a video game, and just like a video game, when you reach a certain point threshold…you “level up”. If you haven’t been to a school that operates this way you should schedule a visit!
It’s so cool to see kiddos who are excited about their school. But this particular event wasn’t just for students. At DVE they really strive to include the community and student families in the success of the school.
That’s why when I arrived at the event I saw a line that stretched up and down every available inch of sidewalk space around the school.
This was a family event. It is one thing to say you are all about community and family outreach but the schools that really shine are the ones who put those words into action.
So what did they have inside those doors that over 1,000 people would line up for on a Thursday afternoon?
They had everything you’d ever want for a fun school event…including:
And that’s in addition to the main event: the House Celebration which they named the “Level Up” champion from their spring House Challenge.
If you’re curious about the House system at Del Valle that led to such an awesome event you should check out these guides on Houses:
There is no better way to create your “community within a community” than by implementing a House System in your school.
Although it certainly helps, you don’t have to be a House System school to host events like DVE. Hosting student reward events that parents can attend with their students is a great way to bridge the gap between home and any school.
It can create a sense of community between parents, teachers, and students, and help to foster a positive learning environment. Additionally, it allows parents to understand the expectations and goals of the school and provides an opportunity to discuss ways in which they can help their children achieve success.
By hosting student reward events that parents can attend, you also build trust and open the lines of communication between parents and teachers. This encourages parents to be active participants in their child’s academic journey and provides an opportunity to speak with teachers one-on-one.
Parents can also meet other parents and students, providing a great opportunity to build those connective relationships as well.
So how do you create that environment where your rewards aren’t just effective…but anticipated. Here are three ideas we picked up from Jay and Del Valle:
This seems like a small consideration. But it’s a big one. What time will you host the event? Your answer may be to host the event when it is most convenient for the school. This might mean you host the event during the school day when staff and students are already present.
But who’s missing from that equation? The adults who work outside of your building. If you can find a time they can attend, it will be worth it!
Your parents and community members will reinforce your values and expectations if they understand the process and what students are really doing in school.
The best way for them to understand the processes in place in your school culture is to host events at times when they can actually come into your school and interact with the amazing staff serving their students.
Who is the event for? Who do you want to motivate with the activities you choose to include in the event?
Your students!
So when it comes time to plan your event, make sure you have a good pulse on what your students are interested in and will be incentivized by. Time is limited and valuable, make sure you make the most of your events by asking your students what they really want.
Then after the event has been completed you should also poll parents about their experience so you can include that in future planning.
This goes back to the processes we mentioned above. Before the big things can work we have to get really good at the basics. Does your staff consistently implement the processes that lead to points for students? Do they see the benefits of motivating students in their classroom?
If the answer is yes to both of those questions you can be sure a large event like DVE’s “Level Up” will be successful in your community.
If the answer is no, you need to start with the basics of PBIS so your event is truly a reward for student achievement and not just another thing being asked of staff.
That being said, there are tons of other ways to motivate your students using rewards. The staff at DVE had some ideas that can help you in your planning as well:
Rewards provide a source of positive reinforcement that encourages students to continue to strive for their goals. They can also help to create a sense of accomplishment, which can lead to greater self-confidence and a more positive attitude towards learning.
But events like this at DVE go a step further than individual positive reinforcement. They actually work as community builders, which is something every school should be working to achieve. For more information on student reward events, check out episode 30 of our podcast!
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.
Explore 100+ ideas from schools like yours.
Explore school-wide behavior expectations from other schools.
The best Houses reflect your school’s unique culture. Browse examples from real schools and start brainstorming your House system!
Track behavior, motivate students, and promote a positive culture — all in one easy platform.
“We have an after-school event I’d like you guys to see.”
That was the message the team and I got from Principal Jay Maines at Del Valle Elementary.
We originally reached out to visit Jay and his staff based on a webinar he hosted for us where they shared some very impressive gains with student behavior. In 5 years they had reduced referrals by 82% and suspensions by 93%.
For me, a former school behavior lead, those are the kind of results that I just had to see in person.
So we visited DVE and got to see their plan in action. The leadership and consistency during the school day were astounding. If you’d like some details on the plans and processes in action at Del Valle you can see all the intricacies here.
But the purpose of this article isn’t to talk about PBIS, behavior management, or how Del Valle uses CHAMPS in the classroom. They are outstanding in all of those areas and you can hear my thoughts on what I observed at DVE here:
But what I’d really like to share with you is the glue that holds all the processes together: Student Reward Events.
Specifically, I want to share the experience that the DVE staff put together for students and their families to reward them for meeting the high expectations they set during the school day. For the kiddos at Del Valle…it was time to “level up”.
At Del Valle, everything is points based. They use LiveSchool points to gamify the processes they need students to excel at in order to be successful in school.
Students use appropriate voice levels…LiveSchool points. Appropriate behavior in the hallways…LiveSchool points. Excelling or pushing through adversity in the classroom…LiveSchool points.
Do well in school and you earn points. Just like a video game, and just like a video game, when you reach a certain point threshold…you “level up”. If you haven’t been to a school that operates this way you should schedule a visit!
It’s so cool to see kiddos who are excited about their school. But this particular event wasn’t just for students. At DVE they really strive to include the community and student families in the success of the school.
That’s why when I arrived at the event I saw a line that stretched up and down every available inch of sidewalk space around the school.
This was a family event. It is one thing to say you are all about community and family outreach but the schools that really shine are the ones who put those words into action.
So what did they have inside those doors that over 1,000 people would line up for on a Thursday afternoon?
They had everything you’d ever want for a fun school event…including:
And that’s in addition to the main event: the House Celebration which they named the “Level Up” champion from their spring House Challenge.
If you’re curious about the House system at Del Valle that led to such an awesome event you should check out these guides on Houses:
There is no better way to create your “community within a community” than by implementing a House System in your school.
Although it certainly helps, you don’t have to be a House System school to host events like DVE. Hosting student reward events that parents can attend with their students is a great way to bridge the gap between home and any school.
It can create a sense of community between parents, teachers, and students, and help to foster a positive learning environment. Additionally, it allows parents to understand the expectations and goals of the school and provides an opportunity to discuss ways in which they can help their children achieve success.
By hosting student reward events that parents can attend, you also build trust and open the lines of communication between parents and teachers. This encourages parents to be active participants in their child’s academic journey and provides an opportunity to speak with teachers one-on-one.
Parents can also meet other parents and students, providing a great opportunity to build those connective relationships as well.
So how do you create that environment where your rewards aren’t just effective…but anticipated. Here are three ideas we picked up from Jay and Del Valle:
This seems like a small consideration. But it’s a big one. What time will you host the event? Your answer may be to host the event when it is most convenient for the school. This might mean you host the event during the school day when staff and students are already present.
But who’s missing from that equation? The adults who work outside of your building. If you can find a time they can attend, it will be worth it!
Your parents and community members will reinforce your values and expectations if they understand the process and what students are really doing in school.
The best way for them to understand the processes in place in your school culture is to host events at times when they can actually come into your school and interact with the amazing staff serving their students.
Who is the event for? Who do you want to motivate with the activities you choose to include in the event?
Your students!
So when it comes time to plan your event, make sure you have a good pulse on what your students are interested in and will be incentivized by. Time is limited and valuable, make sure you make the most of your events by asking your students what they really want.
Then after the event has been completed you should also poll parents about their experience so you can include that in future planning.
This goes back to the processes we mentioned above. Before the big things can work we have to get really good at the basics. Does your staff consistently implement the processes that lead to points for students? Do they see the benefits of motivating students in their classroom?
If the answer is yes to both of those questions you can be sure a large event like DVE’s “Level Up” will be successful in your community.
If the answer is no, you need to start with the basics of PBIS so your event is truly a reward for student achievement and not just another thing being asked of staff.
That being said, there are tons of other ways to motivate your students using rewards. The staff at DVE had some ideas that can help you in your planning as well:
Rewards provide a source of positive reinforcement that encourages students to continue to strive for their goals. They can also help to create a sense of accomplishment, which can lead to greater self-confidence and a more positive attitude towards learning.
But events like this at DVE go a step further than individual positive reinforcement. They actually work as community builders, which is something every school should be working to achieve. For more information on student reward events, check out episode 30 of our podcast!
Explore 100+ ideas from schools like yours.
Explore school-wide behavior expectations from other schools.
The best Houses reflect your school’s unique culture. Browse examples from real schools and start brainstorming your House system!
Track behavior, motivate students, and promote a positive culture — all in one easy platform.
“We have an after-school event I’d like you guys to see.”
That was the message the team and I got from Principal Jay Maines at Del Valle Elementary.
We originally reached out to visit Jay and his staff based on a webinar he hosted for us where they shared some very impressive gains with student behavior. In 5 years they had reduced referrals by 82% and suspensions by 93%.
For me, a former school behavior lead, those are the kind of results that I just had to see in person.
So we visited DVE and got to see their plan in action. The leadership and consistency during the school day were astounding. If you’d like some details on the plans and processes in action at Del Valle you can see all the intricacies here.
But the purpose of this article isn’t to talk about PBIS, behavior management, or how Del Valle uses CHAMPS in the classroom. They are outstanding in all of those areas and you can hear my thoughts on what I observed at DVE here:
But what I’d really like to share with you is the glue that holds all the processes together: Student Reward Events.
Specifically, I want to share the experience that the DVE staff put together for students and their families to reward them for meeting the high expectations they set during the school day. For the kiddos at Del Valle…it was time to “level up”.
At Del Valle, everything is points based. They use LiveSchool points to gamify the processes they need students to excel at in order to be successful in school.
Students use appropriate voice levels…LiveSchool points. Appropriate behavior in the hallways…LiveSchool points. Excelling or pushing through adversity in the classroom…LiveSchool points.
Do well in school and you earn points. Just like a video game, and just like a video game, when you reach a certain point threshold…you “level up”. If you haven’t been to a school that operates this way you should schedule a visit!
It’s so cool to see kiddos who are excited about their school. But this particular event wasn’t just for students. At DVE they really strive to include the community and student families in the success of the school.
That’s why when I arrived at the event I saw a line that stretched up and down every available inch of sidewalk space around the school.
This was a family event. It is one thing to say you are all about community and family outreach but the schools that really shine are the ones who put those words into action.
So what did they have inside those doors that over 1,000 people would line up for on a Thursday afternoon?
They had everything you’d ever want for a fun school event…including:
And that’s in addition to the main event: the House Celebration which they named the “Level Up” champion from their spring House Challenge.
If you’re curious about the House system at Del Valle that led to such an awesome event you should check out these guides on Houses:
There is no better way to create your “community within a community” than by implementing a House System in your school.
Although it certainly helps, you don’t have to be a House System school to host events like DVE. Hosting student reward events that parents can attend with their students is a great way to bridge the gap between home and any school.
It can create a sense of community between parents, teachers, and students, and help to foster a positive learning environment. Additionally, it allows parents to understand the expectations and goals of the school and provides an opportunity to discuss ways in which they can help their children achieve success.
By hosting student reward events that parents can attend, you also build trust and open the lines of communication between parents and teachers. This encourages parents to be active participants in their child’s academic journey and provides an opportunity to speak with teachers one-on-one.
Parents can also meet other parents and students, providing a great opportunity to build those connective relationships as well.
So how do you create that environment where your rewards aren’t just effective…but anticipated. Here are three ideas we picked up from Jay and Del Valle:
This seems like a small consideration. But it’s a big one. What time will you host the event? Your answer may be to host the event when it is most convenient for the school. This might mean you host the event during the school day when staff and students are already present.
But who’s missing from that equation? The adults who work outside of your building. If you can find a time they can attend, it will be worth it!
Your parents and community members will reinforce your values and expectations if they understand the process and what students are really doing in school.
The best way for them to understand the processes in place in your school culture is to host events at times when they can actually come into your school and interact with the amazing staff serving their students.
Who is the event for? Who do you want to motivate with the activities you choose to include in the event?
Your students!
So when it comes time to plan your event, make sure you have a good pulse on what your students are interested in and will be incentivized by. Time is limited and valuable, make sure you make the most of your events by asking your students what they really want.
Then after the event has been completed you should also poll parents about their experience so you can include that in future planning.
This goes back to the processes we mentioned above. Before the big things can work we have to get really good at the basics. Does your staff consistently implement the processes that lead to points for students? Do they see the benefits of motivating students in their classroom?
If the answer is yes to both of those questions you can be sure a large event like DVE’s “Level Up” will be successful in your community.
If the answer is no, you need to start with the basics of PBIS so your event is truly a reward for student achievement and not just another thing being asked of staff.
That being said, there are tons of other ways to motivate your students using rewards. The staff at DVE had some ideas that can help you in your planning as well:
Rewards provide a source of positive reinforcement that encourages students to continue to strive for their goals. They can also help to create a sense of accomplishment, which can lead to greater self-confidence and a more positive attitude towards learning.
But events like this at DVE go a step further than individual positive reinforcement. They actually work as community builders, which is something every school should be working to achieve. For more information on student reward events, check out episode 30 of our podcast!
All the behavior resources you need to create the positive culture your school community deserves.
