For our purposes, Discipline is measures that one may take to correct student misbehavior, or to establish acceptable
patterns of conduct. Discipline may be verbal, an assignment, denial of a privilege, or withholding of some benefit to
the student, that does not interfere with or prevent the progression of the student's education.
In extreme or repeated incidents of student misbehavior, as a last resort, a student's parent or designee will likely be
called to come to the school to pick-up the uncooperative, or unresponse child home for the day. Repeated calls of this
nature will result in administration-parent-teacher conference(s) to determine alternative discipline approaches or
permanent removal of the student.
- To arrest the student's attention. To advise, or remind the child that the attitude or action or the omission of
some expected action needs to be changed, stopped, or in the case of something omitted, that a change is
expected. - Develop, maintain, or restore order and positive interaction.
- Promote an environment that is conducive to maximum positive learning.
- As a last resort or option, to administer Discipline to match offenses to the extent that the student may know how offensive his or her
misconduct is, or how harmful his or her actions may have been to someone else. - Inform or remind the student that it is beneficial to self and to others when the Golden Rule of the Bible as recorded in Matthew 7:12,
"Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets."
Spanking is currently permitted by Delaware law. However, the law allows absolutely no physical indication that the child was spanked. One becomes an easy mark if one spanks. It has become a dangerous non-option for disciplining a child. Thus, spanking is a form of discipline that may not be administered by any member of the staff, volunteer, or anyone acting on behalf of Faith Elementary and Middle School.
Even parents and others caring for their child or children, would be well advised to strongly consider the possible legal consequences of spanking a child in the state of Delaware. To spank makes the spanker a suspect if there is a false charge of abuse, if the investigating officer or official decides they have sufficient "evidence" to prosecute you or any spanker, it may cost you your reputation, a good relationship, disruption of your family, thousands of dollars in legal fees, or worst, jail time, or other indignities, perhaps up to 7 or 8 years in prison, depending on the age of the child.
There are considerable opportunities for the use of dishonesty, exaggeration, and negative propaganda during the investigative and litigation processes of alleged inappropriate spanking. Parents and school staff may do well to consider the risks.
Time out or removing a student from the active classroom environment may be used as an acceptable disciplinary or corrective measure for students. No student should be removed from the classroom setting for more time than is required to accomplish the student's change of demeanor and his or her sincere expressed resolve to return to the classroom or class activity with a sense of cooperation, obedience, and intent to be a good class citizen. Parents or guardians may be called as a last measure to come and remove the student from school for the day.
The school affirms that a departure from these guidelines may leave the school open to ridicule as abusive, confusion to the student, poor relations with parents, or worse. School's representatives will not spank, slap, punch, pinch, twist body parts, or shove students. Exception may be made in cases of self-defense, and when some measure of force may be necessary to restore peace, safety, and calm, such for example, as in the case of removing students from situations where they are threatening or in the process of causing physical harm to another person, or damaging school or personal property, striking, or threatening to strike a member of staff or another student.
Good nurturance and training positively influences a child to good and blessings to himself or herself and benefits others. A child who is indulged, neglected, abused, or poorly nurtured and trained is likely to become a victim, an abuser, and a liability. It is helpful to parents and a tremendous boon to a child and to society for parents and others who are interested in or charged with the welfare of children to consider Bible principle as the primary reliable source when considering how to rear children.Children are precious to most people. Most people love children.
Children are considered a gift from God. We hold that children are our future. From time to time one hears about the innocence of a child. Children are all of these wonderful things and much, much more. A child can be a spring of joy. A child can also be a source of heartbreak and ruination. What makes the difference? What causes one child to grow up and be a blessing to his or her parents and family? What causes another child to grow up to become a cloud of unhappiness and caprice? One becomes a builder and the other becomes a derelict. What makes the difference?The Bible warns us that "There is a generation that curseth their father, and doth not bless their mother." Proverbs 30:11.
Even the lyrics of popular songs tell us that the training of children is of utmost importance. Yes, we are told "children must be carefully taught." We sing "Children are our future…teach them well and let them lead the way."The Word of God tells us that discipline is of importance to a child's upbringing. It is a vital part of the responsible rearing of children. Discipline in a child's life is a good and reliable instructor. When discipline is applied lovingly and consistently the child is well instructed in the knowledge of good and bad. He learns that it is beneficial to choose the good and avoid the bad. In Proverbs 29:15, we are told that "The rod and reproof give wisdom: but a child left to himself bringeth his mother to shame."A child is to be deliberately and purposefully taught good manners.
A child will be a source of great pleasure, enjoyment, pride, comfort, and joy, if carefully and consistently taught by parents who model or at least adhere to the counsel of the Bible and many of the older generation who for sure, may not have had a degree in child rearing, but who were graduates of the school of good mother's wit. They knew how to rear children. They were parents first and friends next, not last. They looked to outcomes.They knew how to teach a child to be loving, obedient, and thankful, rather than to neglect their sacred responsibility and indulge a child to become disobedient, self-willed, ungrateful, selfish, and demanding. It is possible to make a difference in the character and disposition of a child that will result in good manners and good citizenship rather than in dependence, indulgence, violence, and crime.
Those who train and influence children should consider the impact that their style of training will make on the child or children in their charge, when with them as well as when they are called to be a part of other various settings, i.e., school, church, visiting family, shopping, and playing with and associating with other children and adults.
