Don Juan Avila Elementary School - PBIS & Student Discipline

We Are Excellent Eagles!

At DJAES, we are Excellent Eagles! Don Juan Avila Elementary School is consistently recognized by the California PBIS Coalition (CPC) for our successful implementation of Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS). The CPC began a recognition system in 2016 to acknowledge schools for implementing PBIS with fidelity to the national framework. Schools may apply to be recognized as Bronze, Silver, Gold, or Platinum PBIS schools. DJAES received "Silver" status in 2017, 2018, and 2019. In 2020, we received the Community Cares Award, which the CPC awarded to schools who went above and beyond to ensure that students and families were supported and engaged during COVID-19. This recognition celebrated the tremendous resiliency and dedication of our staff to promote positive school culture through school closures. In 2021 and 2022, we received "Gold" status. This year, we are striving for "Platinum"!

What is PBIS?

PBIS is an evidence based, three tiered system to improve and integrate data, systems, and practices affecting student outcomes every day. Tier 1 practices and systems establish a foundation of regular, proactive support while preventing unwanted behaviors. These universal supports are provided to all students, school-wide. Tier 2 practices and systems support students who are at risk for developing more serious problem behaviors before those behaviors start. These supports help students develop the skills they need to be successful at school. In Tier 3, students receive more intensive, individualized support to improve their behavioral and academic outcomes. At this level, formal assessments may be used to help determine a student’s need.

Student Discipline and Restorative Practices

If a student does not adhere to the expected behaviors as outlined in the matrix below, we follow a progressive continuum to re-teach the expected behavior and ensure that students are appropriate and kind members of our school community. The PBIS Behavior Management Flowchart below outlines this progressive response. Parent communication takes place through the Parent Notification Form, Office Discipline Referral, and individual conversations or emails. Consequences vary depending on the circumstances of the behavior. Our goal with all instances of misbehavior is not to assign a punitive consequence, but to support students in demonstrating expected, appropriate behaviors. We use natural consequences, such as a break from recess if unsafe or unkind actions are occurring at recess, and also restorative practices to coach students to an understanding of the impact of their actions on others. Individual student meetings and small group restorative circles help students build social skills in conflict resolution, take responsibility for their actions, and engage in acts of empathy and forgiveness. Our adminstrative team, teachers, and counselor work closely with families to ensure that students have the developmentally appropriate tools needed to be successful citizens in our school community.