Student Conflict Resolution Policy
Background
One of our goals for students attending Montlake School is for them to learn how to handle conflict. It is healthy for children to know that they are capable of managing their own problems. With the help of parents, teachers, and other adults, even very young children can learn problem solving, anger management, and other life skills. Children can be empowered to successfully cope with their current problems, as well as those they will face as adolescents and adults.
We want to empower students to use their communication skills in resolving conflict issues. It’s important that students learn the skill of being assertive by expressing their needs and feelings by making “I” statements. For example, [Use the person’s name] “Nancy, I feel angry” [Why?] “when you grab my ball.” [Tell what you want:] “Please don’t do it again.”
Our teachers in grades K-2 use the Second Step Curriculum which focuses on practicing friendship skills. Our teachers in grades 3-5 use Steps to Respect, an anti-bullying curriculum. We do not tolerate bullying. We teach positive social skills to build positive relationships with others and to learn what to do if they or someone else feels bullied. We use every opportunity to build self-esteem and encourage children to be part of the solution. We know that students may have difficulty discussing their feelings and situations in front of the class. Students need to be told that their teacher and principal are available to discuss problems or concerns with them privately.
We have trained playground supervisors, including the principal, our school counselor, and teachers available to help students identify the problem and generate options.
Conflict Resolution Policy
- First, when a student feels there is a conflict we encourage them to speak directly with the other student.
- Next, if after talking to the child they’re still having a problem we ask the student to talk to their teacher or to one of our playground supervisors (if the incident occurs on the playground) so that the situation can be dealt with quickly and mediated by an adult.
- Since the principal is available on the playground during all of the lunch recesses, we expect that students should bring their on-going complaint/concern to the principal either privately in his/her office or while the principal is on the playground during recess.
- If a student feels that someone is bullying them in any setting, the student should bring the situation to either their teacher or to the principal. Bullying reports are referred to the principal for investigation and resolution.
- No student should be called out of their classroom to attend a class meeting in another classroom for an alleged poor choice.
Bullying Behaviors Chart
View the Bullying Behaviors Chart.