STORY TOOLS

• E-mail story
• Comments
• iPod friendly
• Printer friendly

More Local News

• Marco man appointed by Gov. Crist to Florida Elections Commission
• Marco Islander graduates from Florida Gulf Coast University magna cum laude
• TBE’s daily live television broadcast a mixture of professionalism, fun

Share and Enjoy [?]

The sweet sound of the Morning Musicians filled the multi-purpose room at Tommie Barfield Elementary Wednesday morning. This chorus of fourth and fifth grade students, under the direction of music teacher Lisa Braren, performed a program dedicated to positive behavior and making good choices.

The choral performance centered on the Positive Behavior Support program (PBS) that is in place at Tommie Barfield.

“I am on the PBS Committee and we wanted to do something that would reach out to our school and the community at large,” Braren said. “I did an Internet search, and found this program, Choices Count. The songs are all based on the three R’s and on the character traits that are supported by the Collier County School District.”

Tommie Barfield is in its second year of practicing PBS, a proven method of handling discipline, Braren said. The PBS program focuses on children making positive choices by following the three R’s — Be Respectful, Be Responsible, Be a Role Model.

Braren, the 2006/07 Collier County Teacher of the Year, really knows how to get the kids going. They gladly come to school early to practice for their programs.

In the audience were parents, teachers, and children from kindergarten, first, and second grades. All eyes were riveted on the stage.

“This was the best program ever,” parent Pam O’Regan said. “It’s so positive. My daughter Shannon, who is in the fourth grade, really enjoys being part of the Morning Musicians. She just loves it.”

PBS Team Leader, and fifth grade teacher, Jon Mundorf, is enthusiastic about the program.

“If we expect children to behave well, we have to teach them what we expect of them,” Mundorf said. “One of the best things about PBS is that the expectations are school-wide, so it’s a collaborative effort. Children are rewarded for good behaviors, and they can become good citizens.”

A few of the many rewards the students can earn are extra recess for good cafeteria behavior, recognition on the morning news, and Citizen of the Month in which they are given a Kennedy half dollar, donated by Fifth-Third Bank.

Guidance counselor and PBS coach Nadine O’Donnell has seen some positive changes since PBS has been implemented.

“This is our second year of PBS, and I would say that the children know what we expect of them on campus,” O’Donnell said. “Today’s assembly really reinforced how PBS meshes with our character education traits. It teaches children how to get along with others, and make positive choices.”

O’Donnell went on to say that as PBS continues to be implemented, parents will be kept abreast of any changes, and informed as to how the school will continue to focus on positive behavior so they can help their children make the right decisions.

The Morning Musicians were pleased with their performance, receiving a loud round of applause and many compliments from the audience.

“I can’t tell you how proud I am of the children,” Braren said. “It’s very difficult to put on a show like this so close to the end of the school year. This kind of performance teaches the children so much about poise, public speaking, and proper behavior. They did a fabulous job.”