SAFE, RESPECTFUL & RESPONSIBLE STUDENTS

Onekama School Introduces New Behavior Expectations Program

Guiding students in making safe, responsible choices and demonstrating appropriate and respectful behaviors is the goal of all parents and school systems. Last week, Onekama Consolidated Schools took one important step towards this essential objective.

On Friday, January 28, Onekama students participated in a special assembly in their new gymnasium. The assembly was the official launch of “MiBLSi” -- Michigan’s Integrated Behavior and Learning Support Initiative.

Established by the Michigan Department of Education, MiBLSi is designed to help schools develop school-wide support systems in reading and behavior. The initiative takes approximately three years to complete. MiBLSi schools participate in a series of trainings to help them implement reading and behavior systems.

MiBLSi is unique in that it focuses simultaneously on both student reading and behavior. According to research  http://miblsi.cenmi.org , schools that have been using the MiBLSi process are finding that as disruptive behavior decreases, reading scores increase, as schools are free to address instructional needs. MiBLSi also helps schools use student data to intervene early with students who are struggling in reading and/or with behavior issues.

Friday’s kick-off assembly introduced to the students Onekama School’s official behavior expectations: Be Safe, Be Respectful and Be Responsible.
 
During the next several weeks, students will be taught these behavior expectations on the playground, in the bathroom, and in the cafeteria. More lessons will follow for other locations, such as arrival and dismissal in the bus loading zone, in hallways, in classrooms and other instructional areas, as well as at special events such as assemblies and field trips.

 Students who do not follow the behavior expectations (Be Safe, Be Respectful or Be Responsible) will visit Onekama’s Responsible Thinking Center (RTC). The Responsible Thinking Center and the Responsible Thinking Process have been cornerstones of Onekama School’s discipline procedures for several years. MiBLSi complements this discipline strategy.

“After reviewing many programs, we have found the Responsible Thinking Process (RTP) to be the most effective way for reducing disruption while enhancing the student’s ability to resolve problems,” explained Onekama Principal Gina Hagen.

RTP is a school discipline process with the goal of teaching students to take responsibility for themselves by learning to think on their own, to respect the rights of others, to make effective plans, and to build self-confidence.

“In previous years, the RTC room was used from upper elementary to high school students,” said Hagen. “We’ve recently added the lower elementary because of the success of this process and have updated our elementary RTC form. We believe that all students are responsible for their own actions and must be taught to respect the rights of others. Teachers have a right to teach and students have a right to learn in a safe environment.”

Through role play and discussion, Friday’s assembly gave students, staff, and parents a look at the types of behavior expected in the Onekama School community. Teachers and administration are optimistic about the addition of the MiBLSi program.

“MiBLSi is an exceptional initiative,” said Onekama Title 1 teacher Shantel Niederstadt. “Onekama School is fortunate to have great students and families. We all want the same thing for Onekama’s children: to give them the best possible educational opportunities in an environment free of bullying, unnecessary distractions, and negative behaviors. MiBLSi will help our school move towards this goal.”