Once again, thank you to everyone in the community for their support as we move to our third instructional model of the school year…from virtual school to hybrid model to being fully open on campus! Your support and flexibility has been appreciated!
As we transition to be fully on campus for the first time, it’s a great opportunity to showcase one of the significant updates we made to the ES Parent/Student Information Handbook before the start of school.
As you review the portion pertaining to student discipline, you’ll see that we have clearly articulated our approach to guiding student behaviour. The word “discipline” is from the Latin word disciplina meaning “instruction and training”. It’s derived from the root word discere—“to learn.” At ISB, we believe in creating a safe, positive and challenging learning environment which will enable our students to learn and develop a sense of themselves as lifelong learners, skillful decision makers and responsible citizens. ISB focuses on a culture of care and social emotional learning to foster community, connections and relationships. We believe this supports students to demonstrate responsible behavior and grow in their capacity for self-control and self-management.
It goes on to say that we believe in a “positive discipline” approach to guiding student behavior, which is in alignment with our ISB Definition of Learning. ISB teachers and leaders use strategies to guide student behaviors that invite cooperation (versus focusing on compliance) and engage in effective problem solving and solution finding strategies with students and families when there are needs or problems to address (versus focusing on punishment and/or blame). We believe mistakes are opportunities for deep learning, and are an important piece to a child’s development as they learn to be effective problem solvers and develop strategies to use for the future.
You’ll notice that at ISB, students work with their teachers to develop classroom agreements that bring our ISB Values alive! And, students engage in problem solving conversations when our ISB values aren’t being demonstrated. Our ISB Values of Respect, Care, Integrity, Responsibility, Courage, Commitment, Balance and Gratitude guide our conversations. ISB faculty use several researched best-practices and resources including Kelso’s Choices, Second Step, Positive Discipline, and Restitution.
An extraordinary resource for parents that aligns with our beliefs and approaches for guiding and empowering students is the series of Positive Discipline resources by Jane Nelen. Hop on Lazada or Amazon to purchase a copy for yourself…would love to hear from you if you do!
Positive Discipline (for ALL parents): https://s.lazada.co.th/s.fs5BG
Positive Discipline Parenting Tools: Amazon Link
Positive Discipline for PreSchoolers: https://s.lazada.co.th/s.fs63B
Positive Discipline for Teenagers: https://s.lazada.co.th/s.fshom
Your partner in education,
Michael Allen
michaela@isb.ac.th