District Discipline Philosophy
The Wells-Ogunquit C.S.D. expects students to make responsible choices and assume ownership of their learning and behavior. This belief emphasizes preventative over punitive action by promoting interventions which enhance respect, self-esteem and student achievement in a safe, secure, and positive learning environment. A home-school partnership will promote the successful outcome of this philosophy.
When consequences are deemed necessary, Wells Elementary School has guidelines to assist school staff and administration in carrying them out consistently and appropriately. These guidelines are reviewed and updated annually. Infractions that occur on the bus follow Ledgemere Transportation’s discipline policy.
School staff take several proactive measures to address unacceptable student behavior such as individual/group problem solving, consulting with parent/guardian(s) about concerns, providing direct instruction on a variety of social skills such as role-playing/modeling expected behavior(s), controlling variables in the school environment (i.e. preferential seating, increasing check-ins, etc), and creating incentive behavioral plans in conjunction with the student and parent.
The school counselor provides lessons to encourage a safe and non-threatening avenue for students to practice and internalize their newly developed problem solving skills. Some of the specific strategies taught to children at school, beginning in kindergarten include: go to another game, share and take turns, talk it out, walk away, ignore it, tell them to stop, apologize, make a deal, and wait and cool off. All WES staff participate in instructing students in the use of these strategies.
CORE VALUES: The Wells Ogunquit Community School District has adopted several core values in conjunction with the school committee members, administrators, students, parents and community. They are as follows:
· Respect
· Responsibility
· Trustworthiness
· Honesty
· Compassion
Wells Elementary School highlights these core values in the Code of Conduct. Throughout the school year, many activities and initiatives occur to support and reinforce these concepts.