Black Hawk has H.E.A.R.T.

The Black Hawk Elementary staff introduced Positive Behavior Intervention Support, commonly known as P.B.I.S. I previously had been part of PBiS at another institution and gladly brought the program to Black Hawk Elementary. We created a team at the end of last year and attended several trainings thanks to the AEA. We created the saying Black Hawk has H.E.A.R.T. which is Helpful, Effort 100%, Accountable, Respectful, and Trustworthy. We feel these five components will help a student with citizenship. I was concerned with the process since we rushed it in such a short amount of time. I want to report that the students and staff are responding wonderfully to the program. I can not tell you how many times during the first week students let me know they received a H.E.A.R.T. ticket. The joy which they expressed in receiving the acknowledgement let me know we are on the right path. I have told the staff several times that the process will take time to implement and that reteaching will occur throughout the year and next year. I see the biggest difference with the kindergarten students because they are new to the schooling idea and are quick studies. My daughter attends Black Hawk and is always excited to tell me about her tickets. She did think that she was getting a reward at the drawing, but I had to tell her it was the acknowledgement that is the reward. I did learn a lesson the first two days of school. The team and I created a round robin schedule to teach the students expectations throughout the building. We set it up to last two hours with five sessions each day. After the first day, the team realized we need to do a max of two sessions a day. We are planning the school trainings again after winter break to reiterate the expectations at Black Hawk Elementary.