Kindness Week and Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports: A Framework for Everyday Wins and Intentional Long-Term Growth
Kindness Week and Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports: A Framework for Everyday Wins and Intentional Long-Term Growth
Small wins can lead to big improvements. This is important to remember when setting any resolution, but it is especially critical for children who may have a challenge visualizing a far off goal or a bigger picture plan. This principle is at the heart of the Redwood City School District’s (RCSD) intentional work to foster positive social, emotional, and academic growth through its Local Control Accountability Plan (LCAP).
One way this work comes to life is through the celebration of Kindness Week, running this year from January 22 to January 26. The week underscores the idea that small acts of kindness can inspire a culture of care and positive growth in schools, all while supporting RCSD’s overarching commitment to inclusive and high-quality education for all students.
Through Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS), RCSD provides students with opportunities to feel supported in their smaller successes and wins along the path to larger achievements. PBIS is an all encompassing approach to social, emotional, and behavior support with an aim to improve outcomes for all students in their daily lives at RCSD and beyond.
Hoover's Counseling Office
The welcoming counseling office at Hoover Community School provides a safe space for students to share their thoughts and emotions. Equipped with comfortable seating, calming decor, and resources for emotional well-being, this room reflects RCSD’s commitment to supporting the social-emotional needs of every learner through PBIS and beyond
PBIS also encourages positive character development and working toward cultivating a warm community. During the upcoming Kindness Week, students are invited to participate in activities like the Great Kindness Challenge, which inspires simple acts of kindness, such as writing a thank-you note, helping a classmate, or expressing gratitude to school staff. These small, daily actions not only build confidence and foster positive character development, but also cultivate a stronger, more supportive school community.
North Star Academy's Self-Appreciation Board
The self-appreciation board at North Star Academy is a reminder of the importance of recognizing one’s own strengths and accomplishments. Part of the school’s PBIS efforts, this board encourages students to celebrate small wins, fostering confidence and positivity as they work toward their larger goals
Teachers and administrators play a vital role in this process by utilizing PBIS tools to support students’ academic and social-emotional growth. Strategies include positive reinforcement, specific praise, reward systems, and proactive modeling of expectations. For students who need additional support, interventions such as daily check-ins and progress charting are available.
RCSD’s commitment to PBIS is evident in its collaboration with the Santa Clara (SCCOE) and San Mateo County Offices of Education (SMCOE). Currently, six schools are engaged in PBIS training, with Clifford, Orion, and MIT in their first year and Roosevelt, Henry Ford, and Kennedy in their second. Schools such as Hoover and Taft have completed the two-year training program and are now implementing advanced Tier 2 and Tier 3 supports.
PBIS aligns with RCSD’s LCAP Goal One, which emphasizes that every student should receive high-quality, grade-level instruction along with tailored social-emotional support in an inclusive and nurturing environment. By integrating PBIS into daily school life, RCSD ensures intentional progress toward creating a safe and supportive environment where all learners can thrive.
Kindness Week is one of many ways RCSD brings this mission to life, celebrating the power of small, kind gestures while laying a foundation for long-term personal and academic success.