The word discipline comes from an Old English word meaning "to teach." We can aim for short-term discipline in which we seek to stop inappropriate behavior while explaining behavior that is appropriate. The goal of long-term discipline is for children to take responsibility for their own actions. When children feel their choices and behaviors are controlled by others, they wait for others to control their behavior as opposed to doing it themselves. This is the reason we teach self-discipline at Norton Creek (as well as in our homes). When our Eagles have to answer questions such as "What were you thinking at the time you made this choice," "Who was affected by your choice," and "What can you do to make this right" they take those necessary, all-important steps to managing their own behavior and solving their own problems.

The role of punishment, on the other hand, is often where adults think we should go first, but it is not effective in the long-run. When we were children, the majority of us experienced a punishment response to our misbehavior, and we attribute that punishment to our success saying we "turned out just fine." The research indicates something somewhat different.

Nelsen, Lott, and Glenn, authors of "Positive Discipline in the Classroom," pose this question: "Where did we ever get the crazy idea that to make people do better we first have to make them feel worse?" Punishment can create short-term gains that are often wiped out when the enforcer is no longer present or nearby and once the "sting" from the punishment wears off, it can teach children to only comply in the short-term. Punishment can have an inverse effect as the person giving the punishment releases their anger with the child for not following a rule, and the person receiving the punishment often becomes angry with the "punisher" as opposed to actually reflecting on their poor behavioral choice.

While we may have been conditioned to think punishment is the best way to bring about change, a tough conversation in which we ask thought-provoking questions may just prove better. Of course, this does not mean there is no place ever for punishment in our world; however, this research does teach us that there are other ways to get the behavioral change we're seeking. And therein lies the point: Our goal is never to punish a child; we're seeking long-term change. This is the vehicle to that change, and I am excited for our journey together.

Have a wonderful weekend, Norton Creek! Eight days until Loop the Lake and Fall Fest! Don't miss out on the fun, and thank you to everyone who has raised funds for Norton Creek as we continue to create a school that works for everyone.

LUNCH SCHEDULES:

Kindergarten: 11:40 - 12:00

1st Grade: 12:00 - 12:20

2nd Grade: 12:20 - 12:40

3rd Grade: 12:40 -1:00

4th Grade: 11:00 - 11:20

5th Grade: 11:20 -11:40