Thursday, March 9, 2023 Volume 17 Issue 22
Thurgood Marshall is a Positive Discipline School. What does this mean exactly? In a Positive Discipline school, every adult:
Understands that positive relationships and school climate are critical to successful student learning.
Implements principles of mutual respect and encouragement
Focuses on long-term solutions to misbehavior at individual, class and school-wide levels
Views mistakes as opportunities to learn, and misbehavior as opportunities to practice critical life skills.
We believe that discipline is about teaching and learning. If a student was unsuccessful in math class, we think about what skills they need to learn to be successful. Similarly, when students misbehave, we think about what skills they need to learn in order to behave appropriately. This does not mean that there are not consequences for inappropriate behavior; it means that we try to make sure that consequences are related to the behavior that occurred. In addition, we track our school discipline to look for patterns of misbehavior and then address these with students by re-teaching our school expectations or refining procedures so that students can be successful.
Positive Discipline was developed from the work of Alfred Adler, Rudolph Dreikurs, Jane Nelsen and others, who believed that people seek a sense of belonging and significance in their interactions with others. A key belief is that we have the most influence on others when we have relationships founded on mutual respect. The appropriate response to misbehavior is to focus on solutions without shaming and blaming, and to address the belief behind the misbehavior.
An essential piece of Positive Discipline at school is regular class meetings where students learn to give appreciations (compliments) to each other, to use respectful communication skills, to brainstorm and role-play difficult situations, and to solve problems. We also teach students skills for self-regulation. Students not only learn how to calm themselves, but also what is happening in their brain when they become upset or “flip their lid.”
Teachers at Thurgood Marshall attend a “Positive Discipline in the Classroom” course during their first year or two at TM, so they have a good understanding of student behavioral needs and how to address them to be sure students feel included and understood. There are many resources in our community for parents to learn more about Positive Discipline, too! You can learn more or brush up on this information with the sources below.
For more information:
Sound Discipline: http://www.sounddiscipline.org/ for trainings, parenting classes and other resources
Dr. Daniel Siegel demonstrating what happens in the brain when we “flip our lid”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DD-lfP1FBFk
Positive Discipline by Jane Nelsen
The Puget Sound Adlerian Society Parenting Calendar lists many parenting classes in our area that are based on Positive Discipline principles.
Spring Enrichment Registration
Enrichment registration for the Spring session opens this Friday 3/10 at 6PM. Check out tmlink.org/enrichment for more information.
Pi Day & Game Night
What: Pi Day and Game Night. Bring your family's favorite pie to share, as well as a game or two to play with other families. Where: TM Cafeteria When: 3/14 6:00-7:30 Who: All TM families are welcome (and non TM siblings!). No drop off please. If you'd like to volunteer to help, sign up here: Sign-Up Genius for Pi Day. Why: An opportunity for families to mingle! We are hosting Pi Day in lieu of the Pancake Breakfast (originally scheduled 3/4)
Families of Elementary aged students!
Being a parent/caregiver is wonderful and can also be extremely stressful, especially when combined with the many demands on our shoulders each day, our feelings about the past, and our worries about the future.
Mindfulness is a set of tools that bring us into the present moment and enables us to cope with stress, respond with compassion, and stay connected to our children and our partners.
Join us on Wednesday, March 22 from 6:00-7:30 pm
for Bringing Mindfulness Home, an engaging and fun virtual family event.
