Positive Climate
In the Laveen Elementary School District, we believe it is the right of every student to be educated in a positive, safe, and caring environment. These traits maximize student achievement, foster student personal growth, and help a student build a sense of community that promotes positive participation as citizens in society.
Laveen’s schools implement a number of measures to create a positive climate and culture. These include:
Positive Behavioral Interventions & Supports (PBIS)
PBIS is a multi-tiered approach to social, emotional and behavior support with the intention of improving social, emotional, and academic outcomes for all students.
Our schools implement PBIS through site specific programs such as PAWS (Cheatham), P.A.C.T. (Trailside), and T.R.A.C.K. (Desert Meadows). These programs encourage positive behavior through reward systems.
All eight Laveen schools have been recognized with the 2017 PBISaz Achievement Award. This award recognizes schools for successful implementation and measurable student outcomes with school-wide systems of PBIS.
Peer Mentoring
Our schools have implemented Peer Mentoring programs. Older students are paired with younger students for collaboration projects. This allows peers to discuss how they are staying on track with the school’s PBIS programs while building positive relationships across grade levels.
Second Step Curriculum
Second Step is an evidence-based curriculum that integrates social-emotional learning into classrooms. It teaches students the skills they need to empathize, develop self control, and solve problems. Second Step promotes school success, self-regulation, and a sense of safety and support.
Professional Development
Laveen schools typically have two early-release days each month for staff professional development. These afternoons allow teachers and staff the opportunity to collaborate, sharing data and resources, to improve student achievement and create a positive climate and culture at each school.
Student Services
Laveen is fortunate to have counseling and psychology support within our schools.
Counselors address students’ academic and social/emotional development needs by designing, implementing, evaluating, and enhancing a comprehensive counseling program that promotes and enhances student success. Counselors support a safe learning environment and work to safeguard the human rights of all members of the school community. Additionally, they address the needs of all students through culturally relevant prevention and intervention programs.
Psychologists have expertise in mental health, learning, and behavior, and help children succeed academically, socially, behaviorally, and emotionally. School psychologists partner with families, teachers, and other professionals to create safe, healthy, and supportive learning environments that strengthen connections between home, school, and the community.