The home/school partnership is a critical part to helping students who need continual support. Although students may make poor choices, it is important to frame those decisions as choices and guide students to make a better choice in the future.
PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Support)
At Whispering Wind, all staff use a systematic approach to address behavior. Staff develop behavior flow charts that are posted in each classroom. The flow charts align with a Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) framework. On campus, students strive to SOAR like Eagles by demonstrating Safety, Ownership, Always Kind, and Respectful behaviors.
Whispering Wind staff reinforce positive student choices with verbal praise, paired with a SOAR Card. Students demonstrating SOAR expectations have an opportunity to be recognized weekly on announcements and through classroom drawings. During the quarterly SOAR assemblies student names are randomly selected from the school-wide SOAR buckets to win prizes. Whispering Wind values community attendance and invites families to attend especially when their student will be acknowledged.
Whispering Wind Academy prioritizes the well-being of students through character instruction. Students are provided the opportunity to engage in monthly lessons focused on the following nine traits: Respect, Responsibility, Gratitude, Empathy, Perseverance, Honesty, Cooperation, Courage, and Creativity. Parents/guardians receive monthly newsletters highlighting the trait with content about how to incorporate the concept in the home setting. Students are selected at the end of each month by their homeroom teacher for exemplifying behaviors associated with the monthly trait.
Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS)
Whispering Wind implements a multi-tiered support system which builds on the success of PBIS. MTSS is a necessary step toward providing struggling students with the extra support they need to thrive. The MTSS team focuses on the whole child, making sure each student gets the help they need—not just in their schoolwork, but in their overall well-being.