Sitting outside the school principal’s office is often associated with student misbehavior. This year, at Shelton Park Elementary School (SPES), sitting outside the principal’s office means a student is sitting in the “I’m Proud of My Selfie” chair and is waiting to share good news.

According to SPES Principal Tara Brewer, the positive reinforcement for good behavior is part of the school’s PAWSitive Choices program. PAWS stands for: We are Prepared; We Act responsibly; We are respectful; We are Safe.

The first week of school, staff provided students examples of how Shelton Park Lions make PAWSitive choices in the cafeteria, hallways, restrooms, buses and classrooms.

We are respectful when we use appropriate language and voice volume.

We are safe when we walk (rather than run) in the cafeteria.

We act responsibly when we clean up after ourselves.

Students “caught” by the teacher doing something of which they are proud are sent to the principal’s office. They get to check off their names in the “I’m Proud of My Selfie” book and sit in the “I’m Proud of My Selfie” chair.

Students take a picture that is added to two cards — one to take home and one to put on the school’s “I’m Proud of My Selfie” wall.

Spreading the good news doesn’t end there.

“Students get to call whomever they want from my office to tell them why they are proud of themselves,” said Brewer. She stressed the value of a phone call for positive reasons over calls the school has to make for misbehavior.

The goal for Brewer and her staff is for every student to have a turn in the “I’m Proud of My Selfie” chair.

“We know all our kids will get caught being PAWSitive this year,” she said.

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