Establishing a Heart-First Framework at Clint ISD
In 2021, Clint ISD implemented both PBIS and SEL initiatives in their elementary and middle schools. For two of the district’s schools – W.D. Surratt Elementary and Clint Junior High – implementation comes in the form of a Heart First framework.
The foundation of Heart First lies in Maslow before Bloom – the philosophy that students cannot succeed academically if they do not feel safe and supported – and forms the foundation of PBIS and SEL in each school. The goal of Heart First is to provide a safe home-away-from-home in the school community, preparing students with intentional social, emotional, academic, and career education.
Each campus has a Lead Teacher who is focused primarily on PBIS & SEL, supporting positive school culture, counseling, and family engagement efforts. PBIS and SEL work in tandem to help students build positive behaviors and habits as well as social and emotional skills.
Clint Independent School District by the Numbers:
Clint ISD is one of the Top 100 districts in student population, out of more than 1,200 districts in the state.
Heart First for Positive School Culture
Creating a socially and emotionally safe environment for students involves participation from both staff and families. This positive, supportive school culture includes:
- Monthly professional development and newsletters for staff
- Shared learning, planning, and resources available for all staff members
- Campus “Zen Zones” that enable students to regain emotional regulation
- District-wide participation in events such as Random Acts of Kindness, Mental Health Awareness, and more
- Positive postcards sent to families by teachers and administrators
- District-wide, month-long “Positive Vibes” campaign encouraging staff and students to spread positive vibes
- Program branding to increase recognition in the wider community
Leveraging PBIS and SEL With PBIS Rewards
PBIS encourages a common language throughout the schools, and promotes social, behavioral, and academic success for all students. Social-emotional learning enables students to develop core skills such as self-management, responsible decision making, and social awareness. Together, PBIS and SEL allow students to grow and develop socially, emotionally, behaviorally, and academically.
PBIS Rewards enables schools in the district to manage their PBIS initiatives digitally. The district utilizes student ID badges with breakaway lanyards, enabling staff to recognize a student anywhere, anytime with a simple smartphone scan. The software enables schools in the district to not only serve the general student population, but also to provide group interventions such as restorative practices and individual interventions like Check-In/Check-Out.
Clint ISD uses PBIS Rewards to track behavior trends and student SEL statuses. The software supports all three tiers of implementation in PBIS and includes a function that allows students to record an SEL check-in. Staff at Surratt Elementary and Clint Junior High track the social and emotional statuses of students and provide additional support as needed.
Impacting School Culture with PBIS Rewards
PBIS Rewards has helped millions of students to develop positive behaviors that will impact their educational career and beyond. As a digital management system for PBIS, PBIS Rewards enables
schools to more efficiently administrate a PBIS framework. Our software suite doesn’t require expensive equipment – our family of apps can be used on a smartphone, tablet, or computer.
Training is available for both staff and admins, and we’ve got a top-notch support staff to help you get the most out of our software.
In late 2022, PBIS Rewards became part of Navigate360, the leader in holistic school safety. As such, we are a crucial component in a robust organization focusing on whole-child education, school
safety, and student wellness. Navigate360 sets the industry standard for Safety Management & Preparedness, Threat Assessment & Prevention, and Culture & Climate with a wealth of solutions
available for a variety of needs. We’d love to share more – contact us today!
