Showcasing The Power of Morning Meetings

Featuring Mrs. Speight’s Homeroom

For the 2018-2019 School Year, Polenta Elementary School has chosen to implement Morning Meetings (MMs) in an effort to build positive relationships between students and their teachers. As shown by researchers, we have found that Morning Meetings help to establish a climate of trust; motivate students to feel significant; create empathy and encourage collaboration; and support social, emotional, and academic learning. For this edition of the PBIS/SEL Blog, we highlight the students of Mrs. Speight’s 3rd grade homeroom. Take a look at the 7 minute video of Mrs. Speight’s students during a Morning Meeting on 9/27/18 which lasted about 15 minutes. Afterwards, Mrs. Speight had the following to say:

What was the objective/goal of today’s MM?
Today we focused on making relationships, creating our classroom community, public speaking, building confidence, teamwork and promoting foundations to success.

How have MMs impacted you and your students?
Wow! Where do I begin? Morning Meetings have had a positive impact on my students as well as my classroom environment. Students who are known for being shy or lacking self confidence are now showing the opposite. Our Morning Meetings have really been the foundation of creating my classroom culture this year. The relationships and similarities students are finding in each and every one of their classmates is priceless.

Have you faced any challenges with MMs? If so, how have you and your students overcome those challenges?
The only challenge I can think of was at the beginning of the school year. We spent a while laying out the expectations, manners, appropriate comments, questions and behavior. Students were also getting to know everyone’s names. Morning Meetings were lasting about 30-35 minutes at the beginning of the year, and now consistently lasting 15-20.

Have you received any feedback from your parents regarding MMs?
Yes! “This year is night and day with her confidence level, Thank you!”  “She loves coming to school this year”  “He told me all about Morning Meeting and says it’s his favorite part of the day”

Please share any other thoughts or comments about MMs.
My students absolutely love Morning Meeting Time. They understand that Morning Meeting time is a time for everyone to come together and start their day off the right way! I always keep it New and Fresh!
Student comment: “Yay! Morning Meetings are my favorite part of the day”

What made your class "Puma Pride" ceremony special?

Share by commenting something that made your class ceremony special.

Example - Mrs. Malisa Jones' 3rd Grade Class - Student was recognized with the certificate.

Then, the other students were asked to share something about the child being recognized that showed that "month" trait.  The parent that attended the ceremony was moved to tears to hear the wonderful things that classmates said about her child, who was recognized for "Respect."

Incentives for PBIS & SEL

School-wide Rewards

“Banding” Ceremonies
Each nine weeks, teachers will recognize students from their homerooms who have exhibited exemplary behavior throughout the quarter.  At the end of each quarter, a class ceremony will be held, and these students will be issued a colorful wristband/bracelet provided by the school.  Admin will designate the date/time of “Banding” Ceremonies which will be held in classrooms.  Teachers are encouraged to post photos of their “banded” students on the wall/bulletin board outside of their classrooms.  If a student earns 4 bands during the school year, he or she will be recognized at grade-level End of Year (EOY) Awards Ceremonies; and the students’ names will be placed in a drawing for prizes.  Another perk for “banded” students is entitlement to certain privileges as specified by the teacher.
 Source: An adaptation of the George Cox Elem School model

 PUMA PRIDE AWARDS
Each month, a student will be recognized for the PUMA PRIDE AWARD.  The recipient of this award will be a student who exemplifies the Character Trait of the month.  Parents of these students will be invited to “Pop-in” into the classroom for this brief award ceremony or they will be sent a video/photo.

 Positive Office Referrals
We’re putting the “positive” back into Positive Office Referrals.  Using our Positive Office Referral forms, teachers as well as enhancement teachers, Instructional Assistants (T.A.’s), custodial staff, cafeteria staff, Admin, and office staff members can  immediately recognize students for their good behaviors. Once the staff member completes the form, the student will then be called to the office where he/she will receive a prize.  An administrator will call the parent to share the good news. Finally, the student will have the privilege of writing his/her name on the Wall of Honor which is located in the front lobby.
Source:  An adaptation of the Promoting the Positive with an Office Referral

Classroom Rewards - Class DOJO
All staff members will utilize the application Class DOJO, a free classroom communication App used to share reports between parents and teachers. This communication tool will allow us to celebrate the accomplishments of our students with parents.  Class DOJO allows parents to receive instant feedback on their child’s behavior. That way, parents can partner with the school in rewarding students for making positive choices. In addition, this App will allow teachers to share pictures and videos as well as receive instant messages from parents.

We’re Proud of Your Child! 
Parents can read and complete the “We’re Proud of Your Child” recognition. Embedded in the explanation for this award is a link to a form which will allow parents to share the accomplishments of their children outside of school. These may include recognitions in Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, athletic or musical competitions, community achievements, or special honors. The parent and student will be asked to complete this form and then give it to the child’s teacher.  The school will then provide a written note of praise from the child’s teacher(s)/Admin or mention the student’s name on our school broadcast. ​​​