We are proud to be a PAX school! Used alongside other tools such as Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) and Harmony Academy, PAX “helps people create more peaceful, productive, healthy, and happy environments—in schools, in communities, and at home…by developing and sharing practical, science-based tools and trainings that improve behavior, relationships, and lifelong well-being.” (www.paxis.org)
In the first days of the school year, staff work with students to develop Vision Boards, which are expectations for behavior in the classroom and around the school building. Under the teacher’s guidance and modeling, students practice what these expectations look and sound like before implementing other components of the PAX program.
Students and staff agree that PAX behaviors lead to:
- Consistency in expectations: “The kids instantly respond to the harmonica sounds and hand signals with the appropriate PAX behaviors. Faces light up when referred to as PAX leaders.”
- A calmer classroom and schoolwide environment: “I feel my class travels successfully in the hallway when they are PAX leaders. When they are mindful of their actions, they tend to be calmer.”
- A feeling of success: “it is easy to learn and I like being a PAX leader!”
