Discipline is defined as the actions taken by a teacher to support a student's change in behavior. Discipline is necessary when a student's behavior is considered unsafe or unacceptable.
The teacher does not support the student in making a change by using fear, shame or guilt.
It is important for the child to feel acceptance and respect and continually experience a relationship in and with the environment. This relationship is built on trust and independence.
Effective discipline is built on observation and communication.
Boundaries and limits must be clearly defined and maintained. Typically, boundaries are determined and maintained by the individual student, the classroom, and the school community. Expectations and consequences must be age and developmentally appropriate.
Our basic guideline is - Everyone has the right to be safe and feel safe at school. Safety includes verbal, physical and emotional safety.
Teachers will:
· Support self-expression = What do you want?
· Redirect = What else can you do?
· Remove student if the situation is too difficult.
· Remove materials if the difficulty continues.
· Provide plenty of opportunity for accomplishment and success.
· Comment continually and specifically on the positive.
· Look for acceptable solutions.
If difficult and unsafe behaviors or actions continue, parents will be contacted to work with the teacher and director to support resolution. If no resolution can be reached, the family will be dismissed from school.