Mark Twain Elementary makes its mark with SWPBS

"When I hear the EAs and the teachers and therapists and the plethora of people who work at my school talking to kids, we’re all using the same language; it’s always all about FROGS, which are our five rules. The kids use the same language. For example, if one student is picking on another, they say 'that’s not being a good FROG.' "

Glenn Wilcox, Principal, Mark Twain ES, Spring 2011

By Amanda C. Kooser

The students at Mark Twain Elementary in Northeast Albuquerque know exactly what is expected of them. Keep your hands and feet to yourself when walking through the halls. Use your inside voice in the cafeteria. Give positive comments about friends' work in the art room. Help your neighbor and take turns in the computer lab. If students are caught being helpful and behaving well, they receive praise and the chance for a popcorn treat at the end of the month. This focus on the positive aspects of school life is the hallmark of the School Wide Positive Behavioral Support (SWPBS) system that has been embraced at Mark Twain.

Getting Started with SWPBS

The idea to adopt SWPBS first floated around at a meeting of the school's health and wellness team four years ago. "We were having a lot of acting out and a lot of detentions. That's what started our conversation about PBS," says Mark Twain counselor George Woolley. The group sent out feelers to the teachers and staff and quickly realized that SWPBS would be a good fit. "People are going to buy into this. We can make this work here," says Woolley.

The flexibility of the SWPBS framework is showcased by Mark Twain's approach. Woolley came up with the idea to create FROGS checks. FROGS stands for "Friends, Respectful, On Task, Good Citizens, Safe." It it also the school mascot. The checks are paper slips that are given to students or classes for good behavior. Those checks can be cashed in for popcorn treats once a month. It's an extra incentive that rewards students for meeting the school's expectations.

"PBS is a model to help you with those students that are really difficult. It's an opportunity to correct a behavior and recognize them for behaving well," says Woolley. He appreciates that the SWPBS approach is inclusive of all kinds of students, not just the few that have displayed behavioral issues. "This is something that everybody can benefit from and everybody gets recognition for," he says.

 

Taking the FROGS Leap

Woolley sees both understanding and excitement about the SWPBS framework and FROGS program from the young students at the school. "We've seen a big difference. Our detention numbers are down. It's been noticeable," he says. The word on SWPBS is spread through a student and parent handbook, the teaching of expectations during the first days of class, posters all over the school and a DVD refresher after winter break. Everyone at the school is on board and the message is constantly reinforced. "The kids understand it. They know what it means and it's very easy for them to do it. It's made our climate a lot better," says Woolley.

SWPBS is all about attitude and consistency. It doesn't cost a lot of money to implement and the teachers and staff take advantage of ongoing training to refine the system at each of the 25 participating Albuquerque Public Schools locations Mark Twain's SWPBS is blossoming thanks to the enthusiasm of the teachers, staff and students. It shows that a positive approach to behavior can have a big impact on the school environment.