Simmons Family,

We’re excited to continue our School Wide PBIS (Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports) Initiative for the 2021-22 school year! PBIS is a framework designed to create a positive learning environment and to prevent misbehavior. Our PBIS team continues to modify our structures to meet the needs of ALL of our students here at Simmons. #TheSimmonsWay expectations give our students a clear understanding of what their behavior should look like and sound like in all areas of the building. Students can receive Bulldog cards when they are “caught” meeting our expectations. Students who receive Bulldog cards are entered into a drawing each week to receive prizes!

We’re also excited to announce that we have revamped our Social-Emotional Curriculum by incorporating our Character Counts program and Zones of Regulation! This curriculum addresses the needs of the whole child by providing them with the skills and knowledge needed to be successful in difficult situations. We have provided resources on this page to educate our families and the community about our PBIS structures. Ultimately, our PBIS supports will provide our students with a safe and productive learning environment. If you would like additional information about how PBIS works at our school, please contact us at 859-879-4670.

Zones of Regulation:

Zones of Regulation is a curriculum that will be used school-wide and taught in the general education setting to give students the tools they need to identify emotions and self-regulate. Zones will allow for a school-wide vocabulary that will be used in assisting students in de-escalation and management of emotions. By teaching zones, teachers give students a toolbox of strategies that they can implement in self-regulation.

2nd Steps:

The Second Step program is a universal, classroom research-based curriculum that will be taught school-wide in all classrooms. Its lessons are developmentally appropriate and sequential with teacher-friendly materials. It teaches students skills to help them be more successful in school and that promote social-emotional competence and self-regulation. Unit topics include skills for learning, empathy, emotion management, and problem-solving. Being successful in school requires the ability to cooperate with adults, meet school expectations, focus attention, remember directions, stay on task, and handle emotional challenges and the Second Steps curriculum incorporates these skills into lessons.

Character Counts:

Character Counts is a schoolwide program that teaches our students about the critical elements that portray what it means to be a Simmons Student. Each week, classroom teachers will receive a Character Counts lesson to be taught to all students. Here is a list of Character Words that we will focus on for the 2021-22 school year.

August - Responsibility

September - Respect

October - Integrity

November - Gratitude

December - Empathy

January - Respect

February - Kindness

March - Fairness

April - Grit

May - Perseverance