At Lillian M. Dunfee School in Barnegat, one can hear the ROAR of positive behavior.
Positive behavior, appropriate expectations for students, and school connectedness are developed through a program called ROAR, which was honored with one of three Best Practices Awards at the Committee on Teaching About the United Nations (CTAUN) Conference in 2014. The organization is dedicated to furthering peace through education.
The ROAR program began in 2011, after the Dunfee School was selected to participate in the New Jersey Positive Behavior Support program. Each September, and periodically during the year, students and staff take part in activities to learn the type of positive behavior that is expected in all school settings – what it means to be Respectful, Optimistic, an Awesome Achiever, and Responsible, or ROAR.
During the year, staff members are on the lookout for students displaying the ROAR attributes. When caught following ROAR, the student receives a ticket to place in a special Dunfee Dragon ROAR grade-level mailbox. Every Friday, winners are selected in a drawing, and receive prizes. Additionally, there are special monthly drawings and an end-of-year celebration for all students who previously received ROAR tickets.
The ROAR attributes are clearly appreciated. School officials happily report that 100 percent of the students were able to attend the end-of-year celebration, due to their hard work, effort, and ROAR-ing!
The program also fits in with district Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying policy: By clearly defining school-wide expectations, it reduces behavior problems by taking a pro-active approach.
Information
Contact: Katherine Makela, Principal, [email protected]
Online: http://www.barnegatschools.com/domain/410
Recipient of Best Practices Award at the Committee on Teaching About the United Nations Conference, 2014