Newark City School District
Bylaws & Policies
 

2280.05 - PRESCHOOL BEHAVIOR MANAGEMENT/DISCIPLINE

Early childhood programming teaches students to display respect, fairness, kindness, citizenship, responsibility, caring and trustworthiness when at school. There are times, however, when it becomes necessary to utilize disciplinary strategies and techniques. Discipline provides a "teachable moment" for the teacher and an opportunity for the child to learn appropriate behavior. Through the use of reflection, redirection, verbal and non-verbal cues, loss of privilege, modeling, role playing, separation from problem situations, teacher guidance and other developmentally appropriate strategies, the child can learn expected behaviors and exhibit those behaviors in the future.

Discipline shall be the responsibility of preschool staff and shall be guided by the following premises:

 A.There shall be no cruel, harsh, corporal punishment or any unusual punishment such as, but not limited to, punching, pinching, shaking, spanking or biting.
 B.No discipline shall be delegated to any other student or child.
 C.No physical restraints shall be used to confine a child by any means other than holding a child for a short period of time, such as in a protective hug, so the child may regain control.
 D.No child shall be placed in a locked room or confined in an enclosed areas such as a closet, a box, or similar cubicle.
 E.No child shall be subject to profane language, threats, derogatory remarks about himself/herself or his/her family, or other verbal abuse.
 F.Discipline shall not be imposed on a child for failure to eat, failure to sleep, or for toileting accidents.
 G.Techniques of discipline shall not humiliate, shame or frighten a child.
 H.Discipline shall not include withholding food, rest or toilet use.
 I.Separation, when used as discipline, shall be brief in duration and appropriate to the child's age and developmental ability, and the child shall be within sight and hearing of a preschool staff member in a safe, lighted, and well-ventilated space, and be constantly monitored by the teacher or educational aide.
 J.The center shall not abuse or neglect children and shall protect children from abuse and neglect while in attendance in the preschool program.

Adopted 4/11/06