School Discipline Philosophy

Fundamental to Don Benito Elementary School’s mission is developing children who are thoughtful, caring, and responsible members of our community. We treat our students as individuals, worthy of respect and capable of making good choices. Further, the school utilizes positive incentives to promote and reinforce good behavior while simultaneously enforcing specific consequences for inappropriate behavior.

Incentives include special monthly awards and recognitions, achievement privileges and prizes. Consequences include recess or lunch detention, campus beautification, citations, and, in rare instances, school or home suspension. In addition to this balanced approach, we believe that behaviors are learned and reinforced. As adults, we strive to model desirable behavior and take advantage of “teachable moments.” With the implementation of our social-emotional learning curriculum and increased mindfulness as a school, our students will learn to positively contribute to our school community while learning to work with people from all walks of life.

Students at Don Benito are guided by specific rules and classroom expectations that promote respect, cooperation, courtesy, and acceptance of others. We focus on the Six Pillars of Character. Each month we focus on a Pillar of Charactar, which is highlighted during our Monday morning assemblies. Here are the Six Pillars of Character as listed on the Character Counts website.

TRUSTWORTHINESS

Be honest • Don’t lie, cheat or steal • Do what you say you’ll do • Do the right thing • Loyalty • Keep your promises

RESPECT
Treat others with respect • Be tolerant  • Use good manners, not bad language • Be considerate • Don’t threaten, hit or hurt anyone • Deal peacefully with anger, insults, and disagreements

RESPONSIBILITY
Do what you are supposed to do • Plan ahead • Be diligent • Persevere • Do your best • Use self-control • Be self-disciplined • Think before you act • Be accountable for your words, actions and attitudes • Set a good example for others • Choose a positive attitude • Make healthy choices

FAIRNESS
Play by the rules • Take turns and share • Be open-minded; listen to others • Don’t take advantage of others • Don’t blame others carelessly • Treat all people fairly

CARING
Be kind • Be compassionate and show you care • Show Empathy • Express gratitude • Forgive others and show mercy • Help people in need • Be charitable and altruistic

CITIZENSHIP
Do your share to make your home, school, community and greater world better • Cooperate • Get involved in community affairs • Stay informed; vote • Be a good neighbor • Obey laws and rules • Respect authority • Protect the environment • Volunteer

District-wide rules are listed in detail in the “PUSD Handbook for Appropriate and Expected Standards of Conduct” which is distributed to all families each fall.