Schools work to create positive environments.

Byline: BUILDING YOUTH ASSETS By Mary Jean Knoll and Celeste Rossetto Dickey For The Register-Guard

On recent visits to Lane County schools, we saw teachers and staff greeting students as they moved around the playground:

"Hi, Sam, thanks for picking up that trash - that was very responsible and respectful."

"Oops, looks like there is a problem here. What are the guidelines for playing that game?"

Positive messages and reminders were posted through the school. Several schools were conducting assemblies to celebrate students who were respectful, kind, responsible and caring.

These were glimpses of Positive Behavior Support (PBS) in action. As coordinators for local PBS programs, we also saw that supporting positive behavior helps students gain developmental assets. The Search Institute, a Minnesota non-profit organization, has identified 40 developmental assets that help young people become healthy, productive adults - assets that are provided by the community, families or young people themselves.

PBS programs require preparation, and a commitment by the school. Earlier in the year, the entire school staff had been involved in teaching students how to be safe, respectful, and responsible at school. Staff members agreed to correct students' behavior in positive ways, to recognize students who treat others with respect, and to help students who need assistance in learning social skills. Students had opportunities to practice appropriate skills and learn "house" rules for playing games on school property. A culture for interactions among staff and students had been clearly defined.

PBS, developed by faculty at the University of Oregon College of Education, emphasizes creating safe and respectful school climates where teachers and students can excel. Because of its success, PBS is being implemented not only in Lane County schools but across Oregon, throughout the United States and in other countries.

Schools that adopt PBS appoint teams to take the lead in finding ways to achieve desired social and academic results, while preventing problem behavior among all students. The PBS team works for and with all students to integrate academic and behavioral success. The team emphasizes prevention in establishing and maintaining safe and supportive school climates, increases collaboration with sources of support in the community, and creates a school environment where team building and problem solving skills are expected, taught and reinforced.

Schools with strong PBS programs report improved academic achievement, a reduced need for disciplinary actions, and a school environment that offers students greater protection and fewer risks.

Such schools provide students with many of the developmental assets identified by the Search Institute:

A caring school climate.

Behavioral boundaries - PBS schools provide clear rules and consequences.

Adult role models - At PBS schools, staff members display and teach positive, responsible behavior.

Positive peer influences - Young people's best friends model responsible behavior.

High expectations - Parents and teachers encourage the young people to do well.

Bonding to school - Students are encouraged to care about their schools because it is a safe and supportive place.

Responsibility - Young people accept responsibility for their behavior and encourage others to treat peers respectfully.

We invite everyone to visit a Lane County school that is implementing PBS. Visitors will notice a focus on common guidelines or expectations. They'll see signs such as `Be Safe, Be Responsible, Be Respectful,' `ROSE: Respect Others, Self, and the Environment,' `PRIDE: Perseverance, Respect, Integrity, Discipline and Excellence,' and `Respect, Diligence, Safety." Positive interactions between students and staff will be visible everywhere - as will a school climate that is conducive to learning.

We proudly support our Lane County schools and the work they are accomplishing by building assets through Positive Behavior Support.

Mary Jean Knoll, a prevention specialist at the Lane Education Service District, coordinates Positive Behavior Support programs for Lane County's rural schools as well as the Families and Schools Together Program. Celeste Rossetto Dickey is the PBS coordinator for the Bethel School District and also works as a research assistant in educational and community support at the University of Oregon. This is the 10th in a biweekly series of columns about developing youth assets. For more information, call 682-3817 or go to www.lanecounty.org/prevention/assets.htm.