Orientation To
The GATOR WAY
ALBANY SCHOOL
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The GATOR Way is Albany’s School-Wide Positive
Behavior Support Approach that has been
implemented in order for all children in our school
to achieve both social and academic success. The
GATOR WAY is an acronym for the following:
Give Respect
Always Be Safe
Take Responsibility
On Time and On Task
Remember You are a Role Model
Our students have been taught the expectations
for desirable behaviors for the following:
Voice Levels
Cafeteria
Bathroom
Hallway
Arrival In Gym
Dismissal
Bus
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For the 2011-2012 School Year students will be
taught the expected behaviors for:
Assembly
Recess/Playground
Bus
Classroom
If students are following the GATOR Way for any of
the previous taught procedures, they may be rewarded
with a GATOR ticket. Please note that GATOR tickets
can ONLY BE GIVEN FOR THESE PROCEDURES. This
is because the PBIS (Gator Way) team has taught the
expectations and rules for only these procedures. Please
do not give tickets for finishing work early, or helping you
in the classroom…etc. Although these are very nice
things, the GATOR tickets are only given for specific
behaviors that have been previously taught in the setting
in which they occur. Any adult in Albany School can give
out GATOR tickets to students. Please give verbal praise
for why they are getting the ticket. For example if you
are in the hallway and see a deserving student, you might
say, “I like the way that you have a 0 voice level and are
looking straight ahead.” GATOR tickets can later be
turned in for GATOR Incentives. Also remember that
GATOR tickets CANNOT be taken away as a punishment,
they are given for expected behaviors, once GATOR
tickets are earned, they belong to the students until
redemption.
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THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT ALBANY
In the hallway the students are expected to always walk
on the right side of the hallway. The stairs that are
closest to the elevator are ONLY used to walk down.
The stairs furthest from the elevator are ONLY used to
walk up. The following pages contain the GATOR WAY
expectations for each of the listed procedures with the
exception of BUS, and Classroom. Bus expectations will
be forthcoming, and you will create a matrix of your
expectations of The GATOR way in your own classroom.
VOICE LEVEL
Voice Level Posters should be posted in the
classroom. The levels 0-4 should be well known by
each child in the classroom. A suggestion to try to
get the voice level down to a 0 when it has gotten
too loud in the classroom or hallway: “We are going
to a 0 voice level in 5…4…3…2…1…0.” The students
should also be able to respond to a hand signal of a
0 with no verbal command. Try not to hold up a 0
with your hand and then yell “I need a 0 voice.”
(Not to criticize, many of us are guilty of this!!!!)
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Gator Way
Hallway
Give respect
• 0 voice level in hall
• 1 voice level if walking with a friend
• Greeting others with a wave and a smile
• Hands and feet to yourself to keep hallways
beautiful
• Use one-way traffic flow for stairwells to avoid
bottleneck & noise
Always Be Safe
• Eyes forward facing front so you don’t trip over
another person
• Hands to yourself so no one gets hurt
• Stay to the right so we don’t crash into each
other
• Walk
• Stay in your own personal space (1 block around
& 2 blocks from the wall)
Take Responsibility
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• Tell an adult about a problem to get help
On Time and On Task
• Promptly go to your destination to get right to
work or play
• Follow adult direction because they are your
leader
Role Model
• Role model successful hallway behavior to get a
ticket and remembers, other students and staff
may be watching
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GATOR WAY LUNCH EXPECTATIONS
GIVE RESPECT
2 Voice Level at your seats
0 Voice Level for announcements & directions
Greet the Servers and Monitors
Follow Monitors and Servers’ instructions
ALWAYS BE SAFE
Use the right door for IN and OUT
Feet on the floor, hands to yourself
Sit in your seat
Stay in your personal space
TAKE RESPONSIBILITY
Tell and adult if you make a mess
Clean up your space
Throw out your trash
Return nicely to your seat
ON TIME & ON TASK
Be on time to the cafeteria
Be on time to go back to class
ROLE MODEL
Remember you are a Role Model
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GATOR WAY- RECESS/PLAYGROUND
Give Respect
Take care of equipment
Listen to adults- line up when called
 Be aware of the hula hoop
 Follow directions
 Take turns
 Include others


Always Be Safe
Play by the game rules
 Hands and feet to yourself
 Use equipment appropriately

Take Responsibility
Stay in assigned area
Get pass before you go to the bathroom
 Pick up equipment
 Tell an adult if there is a problem


On Time and Task

Line up when called
Role Model

Be a positive role model
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GATOR WAY
G
 0 Voice Level in BATHROOM
 1 Voice Level to briefly talk to others in the
bathroom
 Respect school property and leave writing utensils
in your classroom (do not write on walls)
A
 Feet on floor
 Use soap and water to wash your hands
 Use towels to dry your hands
 Use healthy handwashing and hygiene habits
 Avoid slippery areas
T
 Make sure you leave the bathroom as clean as
when you entered it
 Tell the teacher if the bathroom is messy
 Save Resources (use water and paper wisely, throw
away your towels)
O
 Go directly to the bathroom
 Promptly return to your classroom when finished
 Do not linger or wander
 Do not waste time socializing
R
 Remember, you are a role model!
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0: SILENT
1: WHISPER
2: TALKING
(CONVERSATIONAL)
3: PRESENTING
4: EMERGENCY
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GATOR WAY – ARRIVAL IN GYM
Give Respect
 1 Voice Level in Gym
 0 Voice Level on Command to Hear Directions
 Follow Adult Directions
Always Be Safe
 Walk in Safely and Sit in Assigned Lines by Grade
 Keep Hands, Feet & Objects to Self
Take Responsibility
 Bring ALL of Your Belongings to Class
On Time & On Task
 Be Ready to Exit the Gym When Your Teacher’s Name is
Called
Role Model
 Remember, You Are a Role Model!
WHEN YOU ARRIVE AT
ALBANY SCHOOL TODAY
Follow the GATOR WAY!
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GATOR WAY – DISMISSAL
G
 2 Voice Level in Hall
 0 Voice Level on Command to Hear Directions
 Follow Adult Directions
A
 Hands, feet, & objects to self
 Stand in line with belongings in front of your or
backpack on
 Stay in your personal space (1 block for K-2, 2 blocks
for 3-5)
 Walk on your way to the bus
T
 Be prepared and ready to exit
 Care for your belongings
O
 Be on time to the dismissal hall
 Go directly to the dismissal hallway, no wandering
 Leave building using hallway behavior
 Leave promptly
R
 Remember, you are a Role Model\
WHEN YOU DISMISS TODAY,
Follow the
GATOR WAY
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