Re: Lynne

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On 7/11/11, Nicole wrote:
> Thank you so much; your advice is spot on. I visited with the
> person in charge of personnel and he mentioned similar things,
> like the changing role of friendships with teachers. I know that
> is going to happen and be an adjustment for sure. I am nervous
> about all of the discipline but my perspective is to treat
> everyone student with respect, greet them with a smile and a
> handshake, allow them their due process, administer consequences
> per our policy and end the meeting with a smile and a handshake.
>
> It has been my experience (14 years), even with the toughest
> kiddos, that respect when disciplining can keep the situation from
> escalating. I am no Pollyanna and know that even with respect some
> kiddos will rebel, and trust me, I am not out to make friends;
> however, I have witnessed disciplinary meetings where the student
> was treated with dignity and sent to an alternative school and the
> student took his punishment because he knew he was wrong. At the
> same time, I know of the alternative. Basically, my goal is to
> guide them in the right direction without demeaning them.
>
> Do you know of a good book that deals with discipline? My admin
> program did not focus on managerial tasks, such as discipline. I
> feel like I have a grasp but am always wanting to read or learn
> about other perspectives. Also, does your school have a program
> that keeps up with referrals? As of now, we do not keep ours on
> computer.
>
> Thanks Lynne, you are always a great resource.
>
>

For tracking referrals on the computer - yes, we do, but it's part
of our student information system which does gradebooks and report
cards, test scores, emergency contacts, health info, transcripts,
and discipline.
I'm trying to think of books that deal with discipline for
administrators and not coming up with anything - although the
discipline books meant for teachers also apply to admin since they
deal with how to respond appropriately to students and that part is
really the same. Dignity and fairness are of course important as you
already know. Always be willing to listen to both sides and then
make your decision. Treat the student from that point on with the
expectation that the incident won't happen again; if you see the
student in the hall your reaction should never be "he's a bad kid"
but rather that you're happy to see him again and eager to hear
about his latest success or lend an ear if he has problems he wants
to talk about. (One thing I've heard several administrators do which
is a complete pet peeve of mine, is the comment "I don't want to see
you again" as the student leaves the office, when you mean you hope
the student doesn't engage in any more referral-worthy behavior and
wind up back in the office for discipline. I think to some kids it
comes off as "I don't like you, I don't want to see you" even when
they are high school students old enough to understand what is
really meant. I would say, "the next time I see you, I want it to be
under more positive circumstances.") I've often had students stop by
to ask me, "hey, Ms. Lastname, how many times have been I tardy this
week?" just because they want me to see that they haven't had any
tardies for the past five days. They're proud of their
accomplishments and want me to see them (even a small thing is an
accomplishment when it's an improvement over what came before). As
you said earlier, the point isn't to be their friend, but the point
is to support them in appropriate behavior and a successful
education.

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