Our school district is beginning the implementation of the BIST philosophy in all of our schools. My goal is to tell students things they don't want to hear, and to ask them to do things they don't want to do, in order to make them the person they are worthy of becoming. When students misbehave, rather than only punishing them, they will be taught and coached in their missing social skills. Here are some important things to know about BIST:
Goals for My Life:
"I was in the safe seat today."
You may hear your child tell you that he or she was moved to the safe seat during class. Please know that moving to the safe seat does NOT mean your child is in trouble. A safe seat is a location removed from other students, but still in the same classroom, where a child can take a break and process their behavior to avoid being in trouble. Here are some ways you could respond to your child telling you they went to the safe seat:
The Buddy Room
Our goal is to create a classroom community where all students are able to learn. We do this by minimizing disruptive and hurtful behavior. If, at any time, a student's behavior in the safe seat is disruptive or hurtful to his classmates, he or she will be moved to the buddy room. Students will remain in the buddy room until he or she is calm enough to partner with the sending teacher. The teacher and student will then work together to form a plan for how that student will return to class, which will include returning to the safe seat and practicing specific skills.
Gateway Behaviors
Many students show nonverbal communication that they don't realize they are showing. This includes body language (like rolling eyes or putting their head down), tone of voice, and avoidance. As teachers, we want to make students aware of how to be powerful with their words instead of their actions. These actions are called gateway behaviors because they lead to more severe and disruptive behaviors. In order to stop these behaviors before they cause a student to get in trouble, teachers provide one redirection as an opportunity for students to fix the problem. If a student is unable to respond properly to this redirection, he or she will move to the safe seat.
Goals for My Life:
- I can make good choices even if I am mad.
- I can be okay even if others are not okay.
- I can do something even if I don't want to. (or if it's hard)
"I was in the safe seat today."
You may hear your child tell you that he or she was moved to the safe seat during class. Please know that moving to the safe seat does NOT mean your child is in trouble. A safe seat is a location removed from other students, but still in the same classroom, where a child can take a break and process their behavior to avoid being in trouble. Here are some ways you could respond to your child telling you they went to the safe seat:
- Were you able to get back on track and make good choices?
- Did you get the problem solved when you talked with your teacher?
- I know you'll remember to make good choices tomorrow.
- Is there anything I can help you with so you can make good choices at school?
The Buddy Room
Our goal is to create a classroom community where all students are able to learn. We do this by minimizing disruptive and hurtful behavior. If, at any time, a student's behavior in the safe seat is disruptive or hurtful to his classmates, he or she will be moved to the buddy room. Students will remain in the buddy room until he or she is calm enough to partner with the sending teacher. The teacher and student will then work together to form a plan for how that student will return to class, which will include returning to the safe seat and practicing specific skills.
Gateway Behaviors
Many students show nonverbal communication that they don't realize they are showing. This includes body language (like rolling eyes or putting their head down), tone of voice, and avoidance. As teachers, we want to make students aware of how to be powerful with their words instead of their actions. These actions are called gateway behaviors because they lead to more severe and disruptive behaviors. In order to stop these behaviors before they cause a student to get in trouble, teachers provide one redirection as an opportunity for students to fix the problem. If a student is unable to respond properly to this redirection, he or she will move to the safe seat.
Updated 6/12/19