Discipline with Purpose

PHILOSOPHY

Christ the King Catholic School’s goal is to lead children to SELF-DISCIPLINE. We believe that a student can be taught self-discipline skills as a part of the total school curriculum. Discipline should not be viewed as punishment. The aim of discipline is to institute and maintain satisfactory educational conditions free from distracting behavior. Based on the respect of authority and welfare of the group, discipline will develop the student’s ideals, attitudes, and habits for good Christian living. To this end, the school will use the program, Discipline With Purpose. This is a positive approach to discipline based on the developmental level of the student. The following are the fifteen self-discipline skills taught:

BASIC SELF-DISCIPLINE SKILLS:

1. Listening
2. Following directions
3. Asking questions when something is not understood
4. Sharing time, space, people, and things
5. Social skills

CONSTRUCTIVE SELF-DISCIPLINE SKILLS:

6. Cooperation
7. Understanding rules and the reason for the rules
8. Completing a task
9. Leadership
10. Communicating effectively

GENERATIVE SELF-DISCIPLINE SKILLS:

1. Organizing time, space, people, and things
2. Resolving problems of mutual concern
3. Initiating solutions
4. Distinguishing fact from feelings
5. Sacrificing from a motive of love

Discipline with Purpose is not a plan for classroom management

DISCIPLINE CYCLE

In order to protect the rights of all children, it is important that parents and students understand the consequences of misbehavior. The long-range goal of achieving self-discipline gives direction and purpose to short-term consequences. We want parents to know that school rules are designed to protect all children and that students who choose to break the rules are treated firmly, but kindly and appropriately.

All disruptive behavior is routinely handled on the spot by school staff members. Each classroom teacher works with the children to make sure the rules are understood and the reasons for the rules are taught. Broad rules that affect the daily routine of the school include:

• Follow classroom procedures
• Show respect to yourself, others, and your school
• Contribute to the learning environment
• Practice self-discipline skills

Each classroom teacher has adopted some version of these four rules. 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 in helping them follow the rules. Children review orally and in writing to ensure that they know and understand how rules “safeguard each person’s rights.”

In addition, each classroom teacher has an established discipline cycle that lists consequences for not following rules. Teachers work with the students to determine acceptable consequences. Be sure to ask your child’s teacher about the discipline cycle being used this year. The system used should help your children mature by following self-discipline skills.

More about each Skill

Listening

Listening is the first, and most important of the 15 Self-Discipline Skills. It is the only one that is taught with specific steps to follow. Listening means to stop what you are doing or saying and clear away all distractions.
When you are really listening, you should be able to tell that person what you heard them say. If you don't understand, ask questions to clarify.
Listening is the cornerstone of everything that happens at school, and we are blessed when we are able to listen to our teachers and our classmates sharing ideas and information. Don’t waste the gift you have been given.
When you are really listening, you should be able to do the task that the person talking to you has requested.
Listening means not interrupting when someone else is talking.
When you are listening to a speaker in order to learn, you are not supposed to agree out loud. Keep your thoughts in your head.
Listening is a learned skill that allows you to learn all the other skills. Practice listening today!