BAY WAY

The Bay Way is about creating a positive, safe environment for teaching and learning.

Bay Way Traits of Focus Matrix

TRAITS OF FOCUS

The Bay community developed five traits, aligned with our mission statement, that we believe students and staff should strive to exhibit. We teach, recognize and value the following:

COMMUNITY

We work together to improve our school and community.

OWNERSHIP

We take responsibility for our learning and behavior because our actions impact our future.

CRITICAL THINKING

We value having an open mind, curiosity and utilizing our resources to make informed decisions.

PERSEVERANCE

We work to find a way when things get difficult.

EMPATHY

We strive to find common ground with others because kindness matters.

BAY WAY IN ACTION

HOW THE BAY WAY IS APPLIED

Transformation grant

Vancouver Public Schools in 2014 received a large federal grant aimed at improving the climate and culture in VPS schools. The five-year School Climate Transformation grant is bringing change several schools, including Bay. There are three essential components:

  • Establish Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports at the grant sites.
  • Integrate a restorative practices approach.
  • Develop partnerships with the Clark County Juvenile Court and community mental health agencies.

PBIS

Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports, or PBIS, is an evidence-based approach to guide schools in establishing the social culture and behavioral supports needed for creating an effective learning environment for all students. The work at the school is guided by teams of dedicated instructional leaders who:

  • Facilitate the development of common agreements about the values and expectations for students and staff.
  • Develop a systematic approach to encourage student growth in both academic and non-academic skills.
  • Coordinate responsive supports for students in need.

Restorative practices

Restorative practice builds a sense of community through inclusion, equity and an alternative discipline model. Educators emphasize arriving at agreements, healing and repair. Restorative approaches promote individual accountability with a high level of community support. In a restorative setting, decisions are best made and conflicts are best resolved by those directly involved.

Key restorative features:

  • Focusing on the harm of the incident instead of the broken rule
  • Understanding that there is a responsibility to remedy the harm
  • Re-establishing broken relationships