Positive School Culture

All San José Unified schools use a culture and climate program to create a positive school climate for students, employees, and families. Building a positive school climate is a schoolwide initiative where positive expectations are integrated into all aspects of the school day. Combined with the use of social-emotional learning curriculum, the positive school climate programs establish a foundation of positive and proactive support. San José Unified provides school-wide systems of support that include proactive strategies for defining, teaching, and supporting appropriate student behaviors to create positive school environments.

Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports

Terrell Elementary uses the Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) framework for creating a safe, positive, equitable school where every student can feel valued, connected to the school community, and supported by caring adults.

Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) is an evidence-based framework to promote positive behavior and create safe learning environments. Through PBIS, students co-develop and are taught expected behaviors and what they look like in the different campus settings. Students who display expected behaviors are positively acknowledged and rewarded.

Establishing school-wide expectations with students sets the tone for the classroom and helps build a healthy learning environment. PBIS is part of San José Unified’s tiered supports for students, and is used at most of our schools.  Student Services coaches provide support with program implementation and ongoing maintenance. The school PBIS team reviews discipline data on a regular basis and reteaches behavior expectations as needed.