COOL START 

Mission Statement

To build a community where all children and adults can work, learn, and play

in a safe, respectful, and responsible environment.

This curriculum is based on three main ideas:

1. Children need to know what is expected of them.

Our 3 rules are called “COOL RULES” and they are:

 

“Be Safe”

“Be Kind”

“Work Together”

. We developed a Behavior Matrix to clearly define our rules. The Matrix is designed to take each rule and apply it to all the settings our children work & play in; classroom, bathroom, playground etc.

2. Children need to be taught directly the correct way to behave.

RCA-CC Cool Tool School-Wide Expectation (Rule): Quiet Voice in the Hall

Skill Being Taught: Transition to Hallway  

Step 1: Introduce the Rule

Talk about quiet voices in the hallway. Ask the children to demonstrate a quiet voice. Model the behavior as you are talking with the children.

Step 2: Demonstrate the Rule and SkillHave the children line up as though they are about to enter the hallway. Model the behavior that is expected in the hallway and recite the chant.Hall Chant:I’m giving myself a great big hug, (fold arms across chest)I’m standing straight and tall,I’m looking right ahead of me,I’m ready for the hall.

Step 3: Kids activities/role play

Have the children recite the chant several times in a quiet voice. When lining up they can recite this chant to make sure they’re ready to enter the hallway.Once the children are ready take them in the hallway encouraging them to walk, keeping hands to themselves and using quiet voices. This can be practiced several times at various times of the day.

Step 4: Follow-up/Reinforcement Activities 

Have the children talk about other places where they use quiet voices. Make a list of all the places we would use a quiet voice. Have the children demonstrate “quiet voices” and “outdoor voices”. Give them examples. Listen to the game “Sound Tracks” and see if they can identify the noises they hear on the tape. Ask the children where they might hear some of those sounds. Ask them to come up with a sound and see if the other children can identify it.

3. The correct behavior needs to be encouraged and acknowledged.

Pom-Pom Jar

Be Safe

Be Kind

Work Together

Pom Pom Jar

RCA-CC PBIS - Behavior Definitions Use these definitions to guide your responses to behaviors and to complete SWIS Data Form.

Keep in mind the developmental age of the child..

Abusive Languge Verbal messages that include swearing, name calling, or use of words in an inappropriate way for the developmental age of the child.

Defiance/Disrespect Intentional and willful refusal to follow directions after the initial request is made directly to that child

Disruption Disruption includes sustained loud talking, yelling, or screaming; noise with materials, and tantrums. Behavior that causes an interruption in a

class or activity, which continues beyond simple redirection.Fighting/Physical Aggression Actions involving serious, intentional physical contact where injury may occur (e.g. hitting, punching, kicking, hair pulling, scratching, spitting, hitting with an object, etc.)

Harassment/Teasing Child bullies another person including threats, intimidations and obscene gesture; verbal attacks based on age, ethnic origin, disabilities or other personal matters.

Lying/Cheating Child deliberately violates rules when he/she thinks an adult is not directly supervising (watching).Taking toys or other materials (with the

intent to keep) that do not belong to them.

Property Damage Child deliberately destroys another’s work or school property; throws objects.

Skip Class/ Truancy Child leaves class/school grounds without adult permission.

Extra Info 1 Teacher

Extra Info 2 Classroom/Site

Data CollectionSWIS Referral Form

 Staff will fill out a SWIS Referral form on children whose behavior is Unsafe Or who are not able to comply to the rule after the adult has reminded the child of rule and re-taught the child the rule.Staff will check-off: • The Location• The Problem Behavior• The Possible Motivation• The Consequence (What the adult did in response to the problem)

What Does This Mean For Staff?

       All Staff need to become familiar with The “COOL RULES”

“Be Safe” “Be Kind” “Work together” 

      All staff need to recognize and acknowledge children who are following the “COOL RULES.”

       All Staff need to be ready to give out pom-poms when the class or center are introducing a rule.        All staff need to know the Universal Response to Problem Behavior (Behavior Flow Chart), and be consistent with their response.       All Staff need to complete a SWIS Referral Form if a child’s response to a problem behavior indicates the need.       Teaching Staff need to post the “COOL RULES” in their class and other areas that the children use often.       Teaching staff need to include “COOL TOOLS” in their Lesson Plans several times a week at the beginning of the program year; and once a week once the children have a good grasp of the System.       Teaching Staff need to develop and/or teach “COOL TOOLS” as the behavior need indicates in their class (for the entire group or for individual children).       Teaching Staff need to CELEBRATE the successes as often as possible! 

 

What does this mean for the Universal Team? 

Continue to Meet on a monthly basis, building upon the Universal Systems

Attend NH-CEBIS Trainings

Acknowledge Staff Monthly drawings with prizes

     Monitor problem behaviors through the SWIS Referral Form

     Gather your feedback to answer questions Mini Support MeetingsSelf-Evaluation Survey (2 times a year)

     Problem solve with staff

     Facilitate the annual School-wide Evaluation Tool through NH-CEBIS (Spring)

  

Parent Rollout

Head Start Centers:• At October Parent MeetingCommunity Campus• At Book FairProvided:

Parent Handbook

MagnetSuggestions to implement at home

COOL START UNIVERSAL TIME LINE

Pre- September September October - November December On… February Universal Team

Implementing * Create Cool Tools *Teach Cool Rules * Share Copies of

Behavior *Teach Staff the to Children Tools

Curriculum Curriculum & Cool * Heavy Acknowledge- *Do Booster Activities

Start Booklet ment of Cool Rules *Make Booklet of Cool

* Hold Classroom Rules

Celebrations Early

and Often

*Acknowledge Staff *Acknowledge Staff

Staff *Give Kit to Staff *Acknowledge Staff Every Month *Survey or Check in

(jars, pom-poms, Every Month *Learn/Become Fluent with Staff re: support

booklet) in Flow Chart, needs

Evaluating Behaviors *Share SWIS Data

*Prepare Cool *Follow Up Re: Supplies often with staff

Start Handbook (lost pom-poms) * Complete

Behavioral *Utilize Target Team for Self-Evuauation

Curriculum Yellow/Red Zone

Children

SWIS * Teachers Learn *Teachers Begin to

SWIS Definitions try-out SWIS Forms

*Start Collecting

Data Upon 45 Days

Family *Get Parent on Team * Roll Out Products *Encourage Active * Booster Activity for at Orientation, Participation at Home Family Parent Meeting or *Suggest Booster * Share Data & Cool Special Parent Activities Tools Night

Surveys

• Self Evaluation

• Parent Survey

Cool Rules yes no sometimes1. Are rules posted in classroom?    

2. Are rules posted in other common areas?    3. Are rules visible for children to see & touch?    4. Are rules reviewed daily with entire class?    5. Are rules reviewed individually as needed?    

Pom Poms    1. Is the pom pom jar visible?    2. Is the pom pom jar in a designated spot?    3. Are pom poms given out daily to every child?    4. Are pom poms available to all staff, visitors, subsitutes, etc?

   5. Do children get to touch & hold pom poms?    6. Do you “look” to catch children to give out pom poms?    7. Do you say the rule & the behavior when handing out pom poms    

8. Do you celebrate “full jars” regularly?

   9. Do you include children’s ideas for celebrations?    

Cool Tools    1. Are you developing & teaching Cool Tools    

2. Are you sending in new Cool Tools at end of the month?    Interventions    

1. Do you remind, re-teach, demonstrate the rule    

2. Are you completing a SWIS Form if you do all of the above?    

3. Have you had a Functional Behavior Assessment?    4. Would you like to visit another classroom/center    

5. Would you like more support with Cool Start?    Please rate how effective the Cool Start Curriculum implementations has been up to this point

Comments: (please use back of this form for additional space)     

Climate: I feel welcome at Head Start and valued as a partner in my child’s education.Comments:    

1 2 3 4 5

Parent Involvement: Head Start has supported me as my child’s first teacher by involving me in the planning of my child’s education. I feel my interests and suggestions are considered and valued when planning activities and parent trainings.Comments:   

1   1

2   2

3   3

4   4

5   5

Communication: I feel free to express my concerns, ask questions and share my ideas with staff. I feel that staff shares information in a timely and organized way.Comments:    

1   1

2   2

3   3

4   4

5   5

Decision Making: I am aware that I have the opportunity to be part of the decision making process in the classroom, at parent meetings and at policy Council of I choose.Comments:    

1 2 3 4 5