Starlight Elementary
Academics » PBIS Positive Interventions & Supports

PBIS Positive Interventions & Supports

Positive Behavior Interventions & Supports (PBIS)
What is PBIS?

Unfortunately, no magic wand single-handedly works to remove the barriers to learning that occur when behaviors are disrupting the learning community. The climate of each learning community is different; therefore, a “one size fits all” approach is less effective than interventions based on the needs of each school.





Schools are successful when they help children grow academically, socially, and emotionally.  For this to happen it is important that we have a safe environment that is supportive and conducive for growth.  By setting forth clear social and behavioral expectations and directly teaching students about those expectations, it is our goal is to continue to have a positive atmosphere for optimal learning.

We are excited that Starlight Elementary School participates in Positive Behavior Interventions and Support (PBIS). PBIS is a system for improving student behavior. It is used with all students across all environments in school (classroom, lunchroom, restroom, playground, library, MPR and hallways) to help create a safe and effective learning environment. Here at Starlight, we are committed to teach, reinforce, and acknowledge appropriate student behaviors. At all times, staff and students are expected to:                               


To help students be successful with this, we strive to instill sixteen lifelong positive social skills in our students. 

The 16 Positive Behavior Skills that we continually focus on at Starlight are:


  • Using Appropriate Voice Tone
  • Waiting Your Turn
  • MYOB - Mind Your Own Business
  • Disagreeing Appropriately
  • Making An Apology
  • Asking Permission
  • Accepting "No" For An Answer
  • Accepting Criticism
    • Giving Criticism
    • Resisting Peer Pressure
    • Listening
    • Following Instructions
    • Staying on Task
    • Getting the Teacher's Attention
    • Asking for Help
    • Working With Others


It is our hope that we will all continue to work together to ensure that PBIS is successful and meaningful here at Starlight. Families, please encourage your child(ren) to engage in positive behaviors and aim for success everyday.







 * Systems: supports that are needed to enable the accurate and durable implementation of the practices of PBS. (What durable systems can be implemented that will sustain this over the long haul?)

 Data-Based Decision Making
 PBIS VS. Traditional Discipline
The discipline of students with behavior problems continues to be a major concern to most schools.  Discipline methods that are very reactive in nature tend to focus on short-term solutions. Typically, a child is disciplined after the problem behavior occurs and little is done to teach appropriate behaviors or prevent the occurrence of further problem behaviors.  Research shows that schools using traditional and more punitive types of discipline continue to experience significant increases in violence and destructive behavior as well as increases in the number of students excluded from instruction due to suspension or expulsion.
 How Parents Can Help
Parents can help by familiarizing themselves with the behavior expectations so they can teach, monitor and acknowledge those same expectations at home, increasing home-school consistency.  Parents can also get involved in school-wide and classroom acknowledgement activities (helping with celebrations and ceremonies). 



What can I do to help with PBIS?

  • Review the behavior expectations with your child.
  • Ensure that your child is well rested and on time for each school day.
  • Ask your child about his/her school day.
  • Encourage your child to do his/her homework and keep up with his/her classes.
  • Stay in contact with your child's teacher(s).
  • Encourage your child to use proper language and tone.
  • Practice polite phrases like "Thank you," "Please," and "Excuse me."
  • Incorporate Be Respectful, Be Responsible, and Be Safe into your family rules.
  • Be involved with the school. Attend school functions and activities when possible.
  • Volunteer.


Expected Behavior at Home 

Different homes may have different sets of expectations. Whatever you decide is right for your home, it is important to set the expectations and then follow through. To help you get started here are a few tips other families use:

Example #1 | Use positive wording 

When misbehavior occurs offer positive alternatives instead of harsh criticism. 

  Negative Reaction              Positive Alternative

         Don’t run.                                Walk.

       Stop yelling.                   Use your inside voice.

No playing catch inside.     Play catch out in the yard. 

Example #2 | Be a teacher 

If you have to say no, give a reason why. 

Scenario: While shopping your child asks you to buy him a toy. He already has toys and you are short on time. You tell your child “No, we cannot buy that toy today. You already have a toy in the car to play with on the way home.” 

If your child accepts your answer make sure to compliment him.

Example #3 | Reward positive behavior 

Use positive reinforcement to teach children what actions are accepted and desired. Rewards don’t need to cost a thing. Try sitting down with your child to find out what rewards would work best. 

  • Ask your child to make a list of the things they enjoy like going to the park or getting ice cream together. This will help you determine what they are motivated by.
  • Create a special "reward" basket of toys that you already own, but they only get to play with when they have shown what was expected. You can do this with stickers as well to earn the basket of toys.
  • Create a menu of rewards, such as special dinners, special desserts, computer time, game night, watching extra TV, extra book time, etc.
  • Create celebration dances or songs.
  • Create a system of recognition. If one of your expectations is that your child will do chores each week, create a board that lists each chore. When your child has completed a chore, use a sticker to mark it complete. At the end of the week, give a reward if all chores are complete. Consider choosing a reward from the list your child made of things they enjoy!

Student Behavior

Positive Behavior Intervention Skills (PBIS)

Here are the 16 Positive Behavior Intervention Skills that we focus on as a district:

Getting the Teacher’s Attention

  1. Look at the teacher                                                         
  1. Raise your hand and stay calm                                    
  2. Wait until the teacher says your name
  3. Ask your question

Accepting Criticism/Consequence

  1. Look at the person
  2. Say “okay”
  3. Stay calm

Accepting “No” for an answer

  1. Look at the person
  2. Say “Okay”
  3. Stay calm
  4. If you disagree, ask later

Working with Others (group work)

  1. Identify the task to each person
  2. Assign tasks to each person
  3. Discuss ideas in a calm, quiet voice

and let everyone share their ideas

  1. Work on tasks until completed

Disagreeing Appropriately

  1. Look at the person
  2. Use a calm and pleasant voice
  3. Say “I understand how you feel”
  4. Tell why you feel differently
  5. Give a reason
  6. Listen to the other person

Following Instructions

  1. Look at the person                                                                                                          
  2. Say “Okay”
  3. Do what you have been asked right away
  4. Check Back       


  1. Look at the person who is talking
  2. Wait until the other person is done before speaking
  3. Show you have heard the other person by nodding your head, or saying “OK,” “That’s interesting,” etc.

Using appropriate Voice Tone

  1. Identify the appropriate voice tone for the situation
  2. Change your voice to match the situation
  3. Watch/Listen for visual/verbal cues and adjust your voice

Asking for Help

  1. Look at the person
  2. Ask the person if they have time to help you
  3. Clearly explain the kind of help you need
  4. Thank the person for helping you

Making an Apology

  1. Look at the person
  2. Use a serious, sincere voice
  3. Say “I’m sorry for..” or “I want to apologize for…”
  4. Explain how you plan on doing better in the future
  5. Say, “Thanks for listening”

MYOB-Mind Your Own Business

  1. Focus on your assignment, task or activity
  2. Ignore all conversations, gestures and distractions that are someone else’s business
  3. Keep working or stay on your task until you receive further instructions or the time is up

Resisting Peer Pressure

  1. Look at the person
  2. Use a calm voice
  3. Say clearly you do not want to participate
  4. Suggest something else to do
  5. If necessary, continue to say “No”
  6. Leave the situation

Staying on Task

  1. Look at your task or assignment
  2. Think about the steps needed to complete the task
  3. Focus all of your attention on the task
  4. Stop working only when instructed
  5. Ignore distractions and interruptions

Waiting your Turn

  1. Sit or stand quietly
  2. Keep your arms and legs still
  3. Avoid begging, whining or teeth sucking
  4. Engage in the activity when directed by an adult or until it is your turn
  5. Thank the person who gives you a turn

Asking Permission

  1. Look at the person
  2. Use a calm and pleasant voice
  3. Say “May I…”
  4. Accept the answer calmly
Giving Criticism

Look at the person
Stay calm and use a pleasant voice
Say something positive or “I understand”
Describe exactly what you are criticizing
Tell why this is a problem
Listen to the person/be polite
Adapted from: Teaching Social Skills to Youth: Boys Town Press




As a principal for the past 24 years, my philosophy is that people should treat one another with dignity and respect, every day.  This means staff, students, volunteers, and our community visitors... everyone.  We use a positive discipline approach where we focus on what is RIGHT at Starlight and not what is wrong.  When students make poor choices, we follow disciplinary steps to take care of the problem.  When they do the right thing, we celebrate!

Here's how we operate at Starlight Elementary...

"It's a FAMILY Thing"

We RESPECT others.  We are RESPONSIBLE.  We WORK QUIETLY.  We are KIND.  We ALWAYS do our BEST work.  We stand in line and WAIT our turn.  We look for the GOOD in others.  We are POLITE, even when the other person is rude.  We don't HAVE to be FIRST.  We don't get angry over small things, and we FORGIVE one another QUICKLY.

We are HAPPY with the SUCCESSES of others.  We ALWAYS PROTECT each other.  

We NEVER give up because PERSISTENCE is the key to knowledge.

Come visit us!

Lauren Kinney, Principal

Guidelines for Student Behavior

Items not to bring to school:

  • Possession of any kind of weapon, knife, or dangerous object is prohibited. This includes, but is not limited to, guns, knives, ammunition, fireworks or other explosives, tools, kitchen utensils, letter openers, lasers, and chains. Imitations, such as toys, will be treated as the genuine article.

  • Electronic games, cell phones, music boxes, Walkmans, trading cards, or any other type of object or toy that can cause distractions, are not permitted at school. If confiscated, these items will need to be picked up by a parent in the office.

  • Harmful substances, like tobacco, alcohol, drugs, or things that look like tobacco, alcohol, or drugs are not allowed at school.

  • Skateboards and roller blades are not allowed at school.

Student safety:

  • No fighting, hitting, pushing, or play fighting at school. This includes on the way to and from school.

  • Instances that include instigating, promoting, or encouraging students to fight are not permitted.

  • Helmets must be worn with bicycles. Students will not be allowed to leave campus without one.

  • Medicines must be in their original containers and must be kept in the Health Assistant’s office. Students may not carry medication on campus.

  • Verbal or physical threats of any manner will not be tolerated.

  • Students will be required to follow all playground rules and walk on the playground. Tag is never permitted.

  • Students are expected to line up for class in an orderly fashion without pushing, yelling, or causing a disturbance. Students need to wait quietly for their teacher to meet the line.

  • Students should always walk on campus.

  • Students are required to follow all safety rules while riding on any Beaumont Unified bus.

Demonstrating respect and responsibility:

  • Respect yourself and always treat others with respect. Racial or ethnic slurs, name calling, sexual harassment (4 th or 5 th graders), and bad language will not be tolerated.

  • Show respect to all staff members and all adults on campus.

  • Gum chewing is not permitted on campus. All food should be eaten in the cafeteria, multipurpose room, or at the outside tables. Carbonated drinks are not permitted.

  • Take care of all assigned school materials and equipment, including textbooks, computer, playground equipment, and any other school property. Students who vandalize or destroy school property will be required to pay for damages.

  • Students need to enter the cafeteria area quietly and use a whisper voice.

Being ready to learn:

  • Students must come to school each day prepared to learn.

  • Students will be required to complete and return all class work and homework as assigned.

Student Behavior Interventions

Starlight School  will follow a progressive discipline policy. The administration reserves the right to assign severe consequences out of progression when behaviors are considered dangerous or extreme. Each referral for disciplinary action will be reviewed individually. The school will work closely with parents to assist all students in exhibiting appropriate behavior at all times. Violation of the school rules may result in disciplinary action including one or more of the following:​

  • Recess, lunch, and/or after school reflection time with a specific assignment

  • Low level or office referrals.

  • Time out in a Buddy Teacher's class.

  • Corrective Counseling.

  • Consequences given as part of individual classroom discipline plans.

  • Referral to the Assistant Principal or Principal.

  • Student conferences with a teacher, administrator, or counselor (if available).

  • Parent contacts, by phone and/or in writing, as necessary.

  • Conferences, or Student Study Team (EMT) Meetings, including parents, the student, teachers, and administrators, as needed.

  • Being required to sit out part of recess, lunch, etc.

  • School service (like community service), with parent permission.

  • Behavior contracts or support plans.

  • Fines for damaged textbooks or school materials. (Note: Fifth grade students who do not pay their fines will not be permitted to participate in promotion ceremonies.)

  • Referrals to appropriate community agencies including, police probation, CPS , and Banning Mental Health.

  • Bus tickets can result in suspensions from the bus, or removal from the bus for the remainder of the school year.

  • Suspension and expulsion: Any violation of the Education Code (E.C.) 48900, 48900.2, 48900.3. or 48900.4.

Important Note: A student may be suspended or expelled for violation of E.C. 48900 that are related to school activities or attendance that occurs at any time, including, but not limited to, any of the following:

  • While on school grounds.

  • While going to or coming from school.

  • During lunch period whether on or off campus, or during, or while going to or coming from a school sponsored activity.