August 2012 | Student Services | 352-671-6868
[Volume 1, Issue 1]
Introduction
The district’s plan for managing school wide behavior (RtI-B) has evolved substantially
In this issue
over the past few years. Over 96% of our schools have now gone through the formal
three day Positive Behavior Support (PBS) training and all schools are implementing
Introduction
1
Teacher’s Corner
1
District Trends
2
wide RtI-B newsletter was suggested as a way for schools to obtain information without
10 Critical Elements
2
having to logistically plan for school staff to be in the same room in order to learn from
Bullying
3
others, share resources, and brag about their success.
High Fives
3
Our hopes are for you to find this newsletter relevant whether you are an administrator
Important Dates
3-4
looking for some great reward/incentive ideas, a teacher who would like to personalize
RtI B Coach Assignments
4
research based best practices. We often hear from schools that the biggest benefit of
having a forum to talk about discipline matters is being able to share ideas. Given the
importance of ensuring a safe and orderly environment, the concept of having a district
RtI-B in their classroom, or a bus driver interested in learning about behavioral strategies
to try on the bus. Positive Perspectives will be released quarterly and we hope you find it
useful as a communication tool for all things RtI:B!
Teacher’s Corner
For many of you, this is a bittersweet time: the long days of summer quickly turn into
the hectic, yet exciting, momentum that marks the beginning of a new school year.
After time off, do you feel like you need a few days to regroup or adjust your bearings
to remember how to do some components of your job? You may find yourself asking
“How do I log into that program?” or “Where do I park?” or even “What am I
expected to do this year?”. If we need refreshers as adults, just imagine how our
students feel!
Don’t forget to take time at the beginning of the year to teach school-wide
expectations, school-wide and classroom rules, and school-wide and classroom
procedures. It is imperative to lay the foundation now, teaching and modeling
routines, and rewarding for appropriate follow-through. Check out these great links
for some tips on starting off the year strong:
http://flpbs.fmhi.usf.edu/resources_classroom.cfm
http://flpbs.fmhi.usf.edu/Web_Training_Classroom.cfm
http://www.interventioncentral.org/behavioral-interventions
Our mission with RtI: B in Marion
County is to reduce campus
disruptions as measured by a
reduction in office discipline referrals,
out-of-school suspensions, and
alternative school placements in
order to increase overall student
instructional time.
2
67% of all A schools were below their
peer averages in discipline referral rates.
71% of all B schools were below their
peer averages in discipline referral rates.
64% of the C schools were above their
peer averages in discipline referral rates.
District Trends
One goal of Student Services is to reduce
(ODRs) as well as the number of days
disruptive behavior in our district by way
students are receiving Out-of School
of focusing on our Tier 1 (school-wide)
Suspension (OSS). Based on the 2011-
behavior supports. By examining school,
2012 data, here is what we can deduce:
regional, and district data quarterly, we
over the past four years we have seen a
can look at the effects of your Tier 1
slight but steady decrease in ODRs per
efforts on student behavior and,
100 students however the number of
ultimately, student instructional time.
students suspended 1-5 and 6-10 days
Increasing instructional time may lead to
has increased as compared to last year.
improved student performance and
This year we will begin to focus on
correlates with school grades.
proactive Tier 2 strategies in an effort to
Specifically, we have collected data on
meet our goal.
the number of Office Discipline Referrals
Research indicates each referral on average equates to 45 minutes of lost instructional time. By
reducing the number of ODRs and increasing student attendance, we are ultimately increasing
academic engaged time.
Focus on the 10 Critical
Elements
1 . Discipline leadership team
2. Faculty commitment
3. Established school wide
discipline procedures
Office Discipline Referrals per 100
Students
180
160
140
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
4. Data based decision making
established
2010
2011
2012
Elementary
School
Average
5. Expectations and rules
6. Rewards/Recognition program
2009
Middle
School
Average
High School
Average
District
Average
Critical Elements: Rewards/Recognition
We continue to highlight the 10 Critical Elements for discipline success. Critical element
7. Plans for teaching
expectations/rules
number six, which focuses on Rewards and Recognition, entails schools having a variety of
methods to reward students, having rewards that are linked to expectations and rules, and
a reward system that includes incentives for faculty and staff. Often, due to funding issues,
this is an area that can be difficult for schools to implement as well as they would like.
8. Implementation plan
Though many schools have been very creative with their rewards systems by providing nocost incentives (such as time for preferred activities) as well as soliciting businesses for
9. Classroom systems
donations, we are pleased to announce that we will be able to assist schools this year to
fund PBS-centered rewards through mini-grants. A total of $20,000 is being awarded: 10
10. Evaluation
awards of up to $1,000, 10 up to $500, 10 up to $250, and 15 up to $100. In addition, if a
school applies for PBS model school status, there will be a $250 bonus. Applications for
mini-grants will be due September 20th and winners announced September 28th. Minigrant applications can be obtained by contacting Dama Abshier at extension 57867 or via
email.
3
Bullying
Last year, schools were asked to volunteer and complete a bullying survey in order
to assist them with getting a pulse on bullying on their campuses and hopefully
allow them to action plan ways to reduce bullying. Results from the survey will also
guide the district on how it can best support schools to reduce bullying on
campuses. The survey is still available for schools to complete by contacting Carlos
Important Dates

th
August 14 : Secondary
APD/Deans Meeting
Greene at [email protected] .

th
August 15 : Elementary
Deans Meeting

th
August 29 : FLPBS Online
Chat “Using Minor Forms”
In addition, a video has been created to be used as a training tool for schools to
educate faculty and staff as to the definitions and requirements for reporting and

addressing bullying in the school system. The intent is to create a bullying information
School Applications Due!!!
link from the Student Services page that allows parents, students, and community
members to view the video also. Currently the video can be viewed on the CCC!
media server by typing in keyword “bullying”.
st
August 31 : PBS Model

th
September 19 : RtI:B
Coaches Meeting
High Fives
The following schools deserve recognition for their
accomplishments:

Online Chat “Basic
Outstanding walkthrough results: Horizon Academy
Newly trained PBS schools: Belleview Santos, Harbour
View, Madison Street, NH Jones, Ocala Springs, Romeo,
Saddlewood, Stanton Weirsdale, and West Port High
School
Eligible to apply for Model School Status: Eighth Street,
Emerald Shores, Evergreen, Horizon Academy at Marion
Oaks, and Liberty Middle School
Greatest Reduction in ODRs per 100 from 2010-2011
School Level
School
# of decrease
School Grade
Elementary
South Ocala
27
A
Middle
Liberty
39
B
High
Lake Weir High
59
Greatest Reduction in OSS 1-5 days per 100 from 2010-2011
School Level
School
# of decrease
School Grade
Elementary
Ward-Highlands
8
B
Middle
Osceola
13
A
High
Dunnellon High
30
Greatest Reduction in OSS 6-10 days per 100 from 2010-2011
School Level
School
# of decrease
School Grade
Elementary
Sparr
1.3
B
Middle
Horizon
5
B
High
Lake Weir High
3
th
September 10 : FLPBS
Principles of Behavior:
Secondary”*

th
September 20 : MCPS PBS
mini-grant applications due!
*Online chats can be accessed
via the Florida’s Positive
Behavior Support Project
website under “what’s new?”:
http://flpbs.fmhi.usf.edu/index.cfm
4
RtI B Coaching Assignments 2012-2013
School
Anthony Elementary
RtI B Coach(es)
Nancy Thrower
School
Lake Weir High
Belleview Elementary
Nicole President
Lake Weir Middle
RtI B Coach(es)
Joely Nuzum/
Candice Scott
Mike Mishkin
Belleview High
Nicole President
Liberty Middle
Melissa McCain
September 20 : Online
Belleview Middle
Nicole President
Madison Street
Melissa McCain
Chat “Basic Principles of
Belleview Santos
Melissa McCain
Marion Oaks Elementary
Angelle Hillygus
College Park Elementary
Lisa Stringfellow
Marion Technical Institute
Juan Lopez
Dunnellon Elementary
Carlos Greene
NH Jones
Shearna Tolbert
Dunnellon High
Krista Garner
North Marion High
Dunnellon Middle
Krista Garner
North Marion Middle
East Marion
Dan Craggs
Oakcrest Elementary
Leslie Munden
(internal)
Adrienne HeruthAscierto
Candice Scott
Eighth Street Elementary
Angelle Hillygus
Ocala Springs
Shay Guynn
Emerald Shores
Elementary
Evergreen Elementary
Laura Ramsey
Osceola Middle
RJ Sumner
Patty Dawkins
Reddick Collier Elementary
Shearna Tolbert
Fessenden Elementary
Shay Guynn
Romeo Elementary
Krista Garner
Forest High School
Deanna Bonnell
Shady Hill Elementary
Dianne Green
FT King Middle
Juan Lopez
South Ocala Elementary
Angelle Hillygus
FT McCoy School
Shay Guynn
Sparr Elementary
Rhonda Cole
Greenway Elementary
Joely Nuzum
Stanton-Weirsdale
Shearna Tolbert
Hammett Bowen
Elementary
Harbour View
Amy Piperato/
Candice Scott
Jim Husted
Sunrise Elementary
Yvette Del Nodal
Vanguard High
Hillcrest School
Nancy Thrower
West Port High
Marybeth
Reske/Kelly Ergle
Patty Dawkins
Horizon Academy at
Marion Oaks
Howard Middle
Yvette Del Nodal
Wyomina Park Elementary
Nicole President
Important Dates
(continued)

th
Behavior: Elementary”*

th
September 28 : MCPS PBS
mini-grant awards
announced!

nd
October 22 : FLPBS Online
Chat “Teaching Behavior”*

th
October 26 : MCPS Tier 2
Training
*Online chats can be accessed
via the Florida’s Positive
Behavior Support Project
website under “what’s new?”:
http://flpbs.fmhi.usf.edu/index.cfm
Juan Lopez
Contact for questions/concerns
Mark Vianello
Executive Director of Student Services
[email protected]
352-671-6868
Dama Abshier
Supervisor of Alternative Programs
[email protected]
352-671-6860
An Equal Opportunity School District
Candice Scott
School Psychologist-RtI B Special Assignment
[email protected]
352-671-6869