Charter Reward Positive Behavior
Schools using incentive program

September 13, 2007
By Michael Molaison
The Times Picayune

Letrise Aarabi once taught sixth grade in New Orleans Public Schools, but left the system because "I didn't think it was working." After Hurricane Katrina, however, Aarabi felt compelled to contribute back to the community.

"I had to try to figure out how I could make a difference," Aarabi said.

She became passionate about an opportunity as positive behavior support specialist in the Algiers Charter School Association (ACSA). Aarabi said she has a degree in speech therapy and in the past successfully worked with autistic children, encouraging positive behavior through play therapy.

Today, Aarabi leads the Positive Behavior Support (PBS) initiative in two of ACSA's elementary schools: Fisher, with Principal Dahme Bolden, and McDonogh 32, with Principal Lee Green.

Alan Delery is the director of the PBS initiative and oversees the program across all Algiers Charter Schools. PBS is used to help teach six traits of good character: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship.

ACSA has selected the program as its primary discipline policy. A major component of the PBS method is an emphasis on strategies for defining, teaching and supporting appropriate student behaviors to create positive school environments. One of the key components is an extensive rewards system.

Aarabi said, "Students are continuously rewarded for positive behavior. Immediate gratification ensures our students that positive discipline affords them quality instructional time, thus accommodating an environment conducive to teaching and learning."

Sadly, for some children, this program may be their only positive outreach for an entire day. "We try to give these kids a chance to feel like they make a difference in the schools and for themselves," Aarabi said. "As a society, we are conditioned to reprimand when they don't do the right thing. We prefer to set up incentives for the kids to want to do better."

The incentives given to the students are donated by various companies. The PBS program uses currency to reward positive behavior. "We give the kids an Eagle buck; that is what's on the dollar bill that we make. They can use that right away or they can save it to buy something in the PBS store. The kids purchase things like jump ropes. We also have special events: for example, Friday is a dress-down day, only for those kids only with excellent behavior and no uniform violations."

Aarabi closed by saying, "I just want everyone else to be as excited as I am. Everyone likes a pat on the head. We really do need donations, especially for my two schools (Fisher and McDonogh 32). We accept any form of donation.

"You can simply give something for the little store; you can make a donation to an individual school, to the PBS program; or you can even adopt a school."

Aarabi welcomes calls at (504) 957-4766 or e-mails to laarabi@algierscharterschools.org to discuss opportunities to support the program.