Luther Vaughan Elementary students enjoy a snowball treat Wednesday after lunch. The snowballs are one of several rewards students can earn this this year in a positive behavior intervention program being piloted by five county schools. (Ledger photo / SCOTT POWELL) 3. Ready to Learn.

The Three R’s are painted prominently on a mural in the Luther Vaughan Elementary School cafeteria. It’s a daily reminder for students in a new program focused on teaching good behavior.

Luther Vaughan is one of five county schools piloting a character education method this year called Positive Behavior Intervention Support (PBIS).

Luther Vaughan Elementary Principal Nan Ruppe said the positive behavior approach is designed to change how teachers in schools think about discipline from simple punishment to giving positive reinforcement to students behaving properly.

“The key is changing how adults react. Instead of always harping on negative behavior, teachers are taught to acknowledge students and reward them when they demonstrate positive behavior,” Ruppe said. “The idea is positive behavior is something a child learns in the same way they learn the right way to work a math problem.”

County schools using the positive behavior intervention model this year are Luther Vaughan, B.D. Lee, Goucher, Alma and Mary Bramlett elementary schools. Each school sent representatives to attend a training session in Oconee County this spring.

The schools have chosen their own ways for recognizing good behavior this year. The rewards are presented in front of other children as a teaching tool on what behaviors are valued and rewarded in school.

Students meeting the behavior expectations at Luther Vaughan Elementary can earn tickets from teachers for positive behavior. Ruppe said the tickets are issued when students meet the school’s behavior expectations in classrooms, hallways, the cafeteria and other areas.

The tickets can be redeemed for a small reward. For example, some Luther Vaughan Elementary students used their tickets Wednesday after lunch to get an ice snowball treat for dessert.

At Goucher Elementary, students can earn “banana bucks” in an incentive based on the school’s Gorilla mascot. A total of 100 “banana bucks” will earn students a ticket to a party at the end of each nine weeks.

Once fully implemented, Goucher Elementary Principal Janice Keller said the school’s behavior program is expected to reduce the number of discipline referrals to the office and help improve student achievement.