Here at Varina Elementary School, academic and behavior instruction go hand-in-hand. We use Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports (PBIS) as a way to provide students with instruction, support, and assistance through a positive, encouraging way. Under the Virginia Tiered Systems of Support (VTSS) model, we target behavior skills where students may struggle and offer guidance and support to help individuals, classrooms, and the whole school achieve in a safe, positive environment.
Through VTSS and PBIS, we use evidence-based, system-wide practices and common language surrounding our school-wide expectations, SOAR: We will show Self-Control, On-Task behavior, Accountability for our actions, and Respect for people and property. We match our instructional approach based on the needs of students and continually teach our expectations throughout the year. At Varina, we believe that behavior is taught and reinforced just like math, reading, science, and social studies. Students who need support are provided intervention and support based on their needs and students who excel with our school expectations are provided leadership opportunities throughout the classroom and school.
Below is our SOAR Behavior Expectation Matrix. We believe the best way for students to know what we expect is to tell them what we expect.
For more information and parent resources please visit these websites:
VTSS – Family Resources – VTSS.org
PBIS – Family Resources – PBIS.org