What is #BulldogSTRONG/GPS?
#BulldogSTRONG/GPS
At Golden Valley High School, we believe in being #BulldogSTRONG. It is not a program, rather it is a “systems approach” for establishing the social culture and individualized behavior supports needed for GVHS to achieve both social and academic success for ALL students. In order to be #BulldogSTRONG, GVHS has a GPS road map to guide student behavior. GPS is an acrostic representation of our umbrella expectations as they depict what it means to be a student at GVHS. Within each setting, the expectation looks different and is tailored not only to the change in setting but, to the specific behavior we want exhibited in that area.
G – Growth (Commit to graduate, work through failure, always give 100%)
P – Pride (Be on time, follow rules and procedures, use appropriate language)
S – Service (Peer support, be helpful, be positive on social media, be a good citizen)
An essential aspect of the #BulldogSTRONG system is establishing a Behavioral Expectations Matrix. In every classroom at GVHS, those behavioral expectations are posted for students to follow and provide guidance on how students should behave in the classroom, around campus, and in the community. The behavior matrix was created with the input of staff members at GVHS and with the intention of fostering positive behavior at all times.
Another essential aspect of the #BulldogSTRONG system are the classroom lessons that center on GROWTH, PRIDE, and SERVICE. Two Tuesdays a month, ALL GVHS students receive a short lesson about GROWTH, PRIDE, or SERVICE. The lessons are designed to be short, meaningful, and continue to encourage students to be #BulldogSTRONG.
Because of the effort by GVHS students, staff, parents, and community members, the California PBIS Coalition recognized GVHS’s #BulldogSTRONG system with a "PBIS Community Cares Medal" for successful PBIS implementation, support, and care during the unprecedented COVID 19 pandemic and resulting disruptions to school. GVHS is a recipient within the California PBIS Coalition’s System of Recognition, reflecting excellence in the measurement of fidelity as well as our efforts in implementing the core features of Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports. Golden Valley earned TFI scores of 96% (Tier 1) 96% (Tier II) and 97%(Tier III) for the 2019-2020 school year. The high scores reflect Golden Valley's commitment to ensuring that students are supported in their quest towards graduation and success beyond high school. We are #BulldogSTRONG.
Throughout the 2020-2021 school year, Golden Valley High School, along with many high schools throughout the nation, were faced with the challenges caused by Covid-19 of which included a majority of students attending class via distance learning. Despite the difficulties, GVHS strengthened and deepened their GPS/#BulldogSTRONG systems of support in order to help students become #BulldogSTRONG. Furthermore, as a result of distance learning, GVHS could not complete a formal TFI and instead, we participated in an Implementation Guidance Assessment (IGA) that provided further direction for our GPS/#BulldogSTRONG system of support. The visiting team of TOSAs (Teachers On Special Assignment) that specialize in social and emotional learning were impressed with the depth and scope of GPS. The comment was made, "The Bulldogs have developed 3 behavior expectations that have been infused into almost every realm of their school whether in-person or in distance learning. Based on in-person expectations, the Tier 1 team was able to create effective distance learning expectations that teachers easily adopted."
The California PBIS Coalition awarded GVHS the PLATINUM achievement for their PBIS implementation of #BulldogSTRONG/GPS for the 2021-2022 school year. GVHS earned TFI scores of 97% (Tier 1) 100% (Tier II) and 71%(Tier III) for the 2021-2022 school year.
Throughout the 2022-2023 school year, Golden Valley continued to implement #BulldogSTRONG/GPS and earned TFI scores of 97% (Tier 1) 96% (Tier II) and 100%(Tier III) for the 2022-2023 school year. Once again, the California PBIS Coalition awarded GVHS the PLATINUM Implementation Award.
