Safe Choices
Hands, feet, materials
| Keeps hands and feet to self; handles scissors, crayons, and tech tools safely; maintains walking feet in room. | Accidental or playful roughhousing stopped immediately upon first reminder; careless with tools but stopped when cued. | Intentional shoving, kicking, throwing classroom materials, or climbing on furniture despite redirection. | |
Kind Actions
Respectful words & sharing
| Uses friendly words ("please", "thank you"); shares classroom markers/toys; waits turn in line or during games nicely. | Had a momentary disagreement or snatched a toy, but returned it and apologized after 1-2 teacher prompts. | Used hurtful teasing, screaming, name-calling, or intentional exclusion of peers that disrupted group play. |
3 Golden Rules for K-1 Teachers: 1. Never take points away retroactively—points are earned forward. 2. Keep feedback neutral & private: Circle the number calmly and say, "Thank you for working hard to get safe hands." 3. Every block is brand new: A rough morning block must never color how the next block is scored!
Decision Rules & Progression
Benchmark Target 80% for 4 Weeks
1 Full Support
Daily morning check-in & afternoon check-out with counselor. Teacher scores 5 blocks daily.
Weeks 1-4
2 Self-Monitoring
Student circles what they think they earned first; teacher confirms or coaches with gentle feedback.
Weeks 5-6
3 Check-In Fading
Morning check-in continues; afternoon check-out reduced to Mon/Wed/Fri. Teacher signs off at day end.
Weeks 7-8
4 Graduation Day
Celebration certificate awarded! Student becomes an "Alumni Mentor" with weekly counselor lunch check-in.
Graduation! 🎓
If Student Becomes Upset Over Missing a Point: Regulation Script
Counselor says: "I see you feel disappointed about that 1 during reading. You really wanted all 2s! Take a deep balloon breath with me. Notice how many 2s you earned before that? You showed super safe hands in morning circle. Period 3 is starting right now, and that whole block is waiting for you to shine."
If Student Arrives Dysregulated in the Morning: De-escalation Script
Counselor says: "Your body feels super bouncy/worried this morning, doesn't it? Let's not worry about the card for two minutes. Let's do 3 wall pushes or squeeze the squishy ball. What is one thing that will help you feel calm before you walk to Room 4?"
Coaching a Teacher Who Gives Punitive Feedback: Consultation Script
Counselor says: "Thank you for being so consistent with the card! In kindergarten, if we mark a 0 without pre-correcting, students can get flooded with shame and give up for the afternoon. Let's try giving a quiet whisper reminder at the 5-minute mark so he has a chance to earn back that 1 or 2 before the block ends."
Review Every Friday
Morning check-in occurred within first 20 min of arrival. Afternoon check-out completed before bus/dismissal call. Daily point total logged into PBIS tracking spreadsheet. Home note sent daily; signed slips collected weekly.
Placed on Counselor's Star Wall!
⭐ Proud Home Cheer! To: Counselor
I am so proud of my champion today because:
Love, ____________________ Date: _________
🛡️ Safe Choices Hero! To: Counselor
At home tonight, you showed super safe hands and feet when:
Love, ____________________ Date: _________
💛 Big Kind Heart Award! To: Counselor
You used kind words and great sharing tonight when:
Love, ____________________ Date: _________
🌱 Fresh Morning Spark! To: Counselor
Sending you to school with love! Remember you are:
Love, ____________________ Date: _________
Easy, memorable connection builders
📖 Extra Bedtime Story Pick two favorite books tonight
🎵 Kitchen DJ Choose dinner or car dance songs
🏰 Blanket Fort Night Build a castle with pillows
🥞 Breakfast Chef Pick weekend breakfast choice
🧩 10-Min Special Play 1-on-1 parent play of choice
🚶 Nature Walk Leader Pick which path the family takes
🔦 Flashlight Tag Special dark room fun game
👑 Special Hat Day Wear a funny hat at dinner table
Remember: Consistency, hugs, and noticing effort build confident, lifelong learners!
Thank you for partnering with us!
Instant Pride Badges
🎯
I followed directions and gave my best effort today!
Super Star ⭐
🛡️
My hands, feet, and materials were super safe!
Safe Hero 🛡️
💛
I shared with friends and used friendly words!
Kind Heart 💛
🚀
I reached my daily point goal with flying colors!
Goal Met 🚀
🌱
I had a tricky moment, took a breath, and tried again!
Grit Star 🌱
👑
Whole week champion of great choices and effort!
VIP Champion 👑
Choose your top 2 favorites!