Behavior Chart

At WPS we use the STARS Behavior Management System. S.T.A.R.S. stands for Safety, Trust, Attitude, Responsibility and Self-Control. We teach our students what each of these things mean and how learning responsibility and self-control will benefit them and our school. We talk about how important attitude is to success and why everyone must be able to trust everyone else to do the right thing; and that safety is very important to all of us. We have expectations for behavior in every spot in the school and we tell children what we expect to see. We are teaching them skills that we believe will benefit them not only at WPS but throughout their entire life. It's a big job but we do our best to break it down to a few critical teaching points and we try to help students become more and more successful in their S.T.A.R.S. behavior. We are trying to create a consistent expectation in our public areas.

In our classroom we begin each day on "Green". Everyday deserves a new start. Heavens knows I make enough mistakes so I certainly benefit from a fresh start each day and so does your child.
After a few reminders about behavior expectations, students may have to move their clothespin clip with their name down to orange. Again, EVERYONE makes mistakes. I do not expect total and complete silence but I do expect students to listen whilst I am teaching. Not only for their sakes but for those around them. Still, moving to orange really shouldn't be that big of a deal.

If the behavior continues their clip is moved to red. They have been warned repeatedly, they have had time to think but they are still doing something that they have been asked not to do. There are many reasons children get to red and they need our help finding alternatives. They need us to sit with them and discuss the problem. They need us to help brainstorm other, less disruptive methods. And they need us to help role play what they will do in the future so they don't get on red again. Frankly, most students get red because they are talking too often and at inappropriate times. That's a hard skill to learn but you and I have learned it and your child will as well. Once a child goes to a level, they may not go back up to green. There have been many opportunities prior to having moved a clip, therefore it should come as no surprise that they have a consequence. We all start fresh tomorrow.

There are a few instances when a child will not be warned and will immediately be sent to the office. One of those instances is when they willfully hurt another student. Everyone deserves to feel and be safe and there is nothing that will get you into trouble sooner than hurting someone. I encourage our students to use their words and talk through their feelings. I also keep my eyes open for children who look as though they are becoming frustrated and intervene when it appears that someone may be about to make a poor or hurtful choice.

Conversely, if your child exhibits behavior that is especially touching, thoughtful or kind, they can be rewarded with a Gold Star. A Gold Star means that your child has gone beyond expectations for a First Grader and deserves that recognition.

Remember, I expect mistakes to occur. That tells me your child is taking risks and trying out new behaviors. In my eyes, that's a GOOD thing!