Discipline
Discipline with Purpose
Immaculate Conception school uses
the Discipline with Purpose program to teach students the skills of
self-discipline. The teachers are trained in the program, which helps
all of our students to grow and develop in the skill listed below:
- Listening
- Following directions
- Questioning
- Sharing: time, space, people and things
- Interacting socially
- Cooperating with others
- Understanding rules
- Figuring out how to accomplish tasks
- Exhibiting leadership
- Communicating effectively
- Organizing: Time, space, people, things
- Resolving mutual problems
- Taking the initiative
- Distinguishing fact from fiction
- Sacrificing/serving others
Opportunities to teach children the 15 self discipline skills abound any school day. Because teachers believe that confrontation (coming face to face) is part of their tasks as disciplinarians, they welcome opportunities to help children themselves. All disruptive behavior is routinely handled by adults in school as it occurs.
Broad rules that affect the daily living together of all members of the school community include these:
- Respect yourself, others, and things.
- Contribute to the learning environment.
- Follow school and classroom procedures.
Each classroom teacher has adopted some version of these three rules. The rules are posted in each classroom. The teachers work with the children to make sure the rules are understood and the reasons for the rules are taught. Children learn that each adult may have different procedures to help them follow the rules. Teachers work with the students to ensure that they understand how rules "safeguard each person's rights."
In addition, each classroom teacher has an established Discipline Cycle that lists consequences for not following the rules. Teachers work with the students, as appropriate to the grade level, to determine acceptable consequences. Your child's teacher will send a copy of the classroom discipline cycle to you at the beginning of the year. The system should help your child grow in the self-discipline skills of understanding rules and the reason for rules. Parents are expected to support the teacher's classroom rules and discipline cycle.
Total School Discipline Cycle
Occasionally removal from the group is necessary to protect a student and/or the learning environment of the
school. This is necessary when a student:
- Is physically or psychologically abusive or threatening,
- Is irrational or unreasonable,
- Is severely disrespectful or uses profanity, or
- Does not gain self-control after repeated correction from an adult.