At the school our kids go to now we, the parents, don't hear much about meanness, bullying or agrressive behaviour amongst the 350 kids. Not from our kids, not from other parents.
When there has been a problem it's been followed with high praise for the way in which is taken of. Everyone has been satisfied.
Whatever is going on over there is working because the halls are full of happy kids helping one another out, smiling, giggling. At the open house last month a grade six teacher with some 20-odd years under his belt said he has never had this much fun at work. The teachers always look happy too. There's a nice vibe in the halls from the front desk staff to the custodian.
I asked the principal what she and her staff were doing. Was it Prozac in the water, laughing gas, cult programming ...
She explained that rather focus on the consequences of poor behaviour she and her teachers instead speak to the kids about being inherently kind to one another.
When you tell a kid what the consequence is for their repetitive, unacceptable behaviour all they do is figure out how to side step the consequence by shifting the blame, diverting attention, intimidation - you name it, they hone deviant skills.
Better to spend that time learning how to be kind.
This idea is an extension of how happy households maintain respect - and peace - within their walls and a good principal and staff can do the same with their kids as is clearly evident at St. Dominic Fine Arts School
I just read this article (give it a read, it's good) about a book called "How to Bullyproof your Classroom" in which the author says; "The problem with bullying is actually the challenge of kindness." Amen.
I was reminded of how happy our kids are now that they are in a school that subscribes to this thinking and the biggest part of their day is no longer at odds with the guidance we give them at home.
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