The purpose of discipline in our Christian school is to bring the student to a maturity of Christ so that he/she will exercise self-control in school, in the home, in the church, and in every other area in life.
Proverbs 22:6 – “Teach a child to choose the right path and when he is old he will stay on it.”
2 Timothy 3:16-17 – “All Scripture is God-breathed, and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man/woman of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
In order to maximize the learning experience, discipline is necessary to maintain order and responsibility at school. To be effective, discipline must be issued in a consistent and fair manner. We are using the Honorable Character Behavior System.
Each classroom has a chart with fourteen honorable characteristics listed on it. Honor, obedience, diligence, wisdom, kindness, self-control, orderliness, service, attentiveness, cooperation, initiative, honesty, forgiveness, and responsibility are what the teachers are looking for in each student. These fourteen-character traits are based on biblical principles, which are esteemed and valued by everyone. This system is used in every elementary classroom, year after year, teacher after teacher, so students quickly learn what is expected of them.
We use a card pull or clip system to keep track of choices that need to be corrected. Somewhere in the classroom every student has a pocket or clip. Each student begins with a green card or clip. A warning results in the student needing to “flip their card” or move his/her clip to yellow (warning color). A second correction, of any kind, will result in the child changing the card to orange and the consequence will be to lose 5 minutes of recess (for the purpose of thinking about better choices). Telling the student which of the honorable character traits they failed to demonstrate when they are required to “flip a card” or clip down helps the student begin to understand what is, and is not, appropriate behavior. If a student needs to move to red, a note will go home with the student that day, and sentences related to the student’s choices will be assigned to be written by the student at home and returned with a parent-signed note the following school day. The number of sentences, and which sentences, will depend on the age and behavior choices of the student. Also, depending on the nature and frequency of the choices, an appointment with the principal may also be considered by the teacher to be appropriate at this point. Parents will be notified whenever the principal has been called into a situation. Teachers also look for opportunities to “catch” students exhibiting positive behavior and recognize their good choices as well, either privately or publicly.