Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS)
Harry S. Truman is a Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports school (PBIS). PBIS is an approach for supporting students’ academic and behavioral success by creating a safe and supportive school culture where students are recognized for their outstanding behavior both individually and collectively.
The Truman staff teaches, models, publicly recognizes and positively reinforces students who are being safe, responsible and respectful. We do so in many ways: we have posted behavioral expectations inside/outside the school, and teach those expectations three times a year through our PBIS Fair, and we daily, weekly, or monthly implement various acknowledgment systems for meeting behavioral expectations. This includes Truman Bucks, which can be used to purchase items from the Truman Store, Super Truman Bus Rider Awards, Students of the Month who demonstrated the skill and virtue of the month, Golden Awards for classrooms, Marble Jar Awards for classrooms as well as the entire school, and Perfect Attendance Awards. We also teach social-emotional lessons throughout the school year, we positively correct behavior, we use restorative practices such as restorative circles and community/classroom circles to build community and repair relationships, we implement a school-wide corrective response system, and we make data-based decisions to assess student needs.
“At Truman, we are safe, responsible and respectful!” We provide a safe and supportive environment in which all students are given the opportunity to grow and develop into positive leaders at school and in their community.
Kindergarten Jump Start
Kindergarten Jump Start is a free program for incoming kindergarteners that takes place a few weeks before the school year begins. Students participate in a variety of math, literacy and hands-on activities; learn school routines; and become familiar with their new surroundings.
Data shows that students who attend Jump Start are better prepared for kindergarten than children who do not participate. They also gain confidence, leadership skills and enthusiasm for school. Don’t miss this opportunity to give your child a successful transition to kindergarten!
To register your child, please contact the Truman office.
Highly Capable Services
Truman is one of two sites in the district that provides services to Highly Capable students in a self-contained classroom setting. In addition to differentiation in the general education classroom, students in grades third through fifth can receive services in an intensive multi-age HiCap support classroom. Students interact with their highly capable peers in grades 3 through 5 in the classroom. The intensive HiCap students join a particular grade level for lunch and have their own fine arts block (art, creative movement and music).
Placement in the intensive HiCap classroom is based on student need. To find out more about the intensive HiCap at Truman, please contact the Highly Capable Services office at highlycapableservices@vansd.org.