Discipline techniques may come and go, but one constant in all discipline techniques is that parents must set boundaries for their children. Boundaries let children know what behavior is acceptable and what behavior is not. Whether they realize it or not, your children need boundaries to feel safe. However, they will test the boundaries; it is a natural part of growing up. As a parent, you must provide consistent and reasonable consequences when your children step over a boundary line. For some children and some offenses, a simple reminder may be enough. For other, more serious offenses or for repeated offenses, you will need more severe consequences, such as removing privileges. It is best to think about consequences ahead of time so you won’t be caught by surprise. Then, apply the consequences consistently every time so your children know you mean what you say.
Student’s who engage in certain acts associated with bullying may be suspended or expelled from a school or district. School districts may also face civil law penalties, in the form of hefty monetary fines, arising out of its failure to prevent or punish certain types of behavior by students within their district.
Any student who engages in conduct that constitutes bullying shall be subject to disciplinary consequences up to and including suspension and expulsion. A student’s bullying behavior may also be addressed through other behavioral interventions.
The goal is to create a culture in which adults stop all bullying immediately, all students learn positive behaviors and become a part of the anti-bullying solution, and the needs of individual students are met. Mental health plays a crucial role in this process. Principals should work with their school psychologist or other trained mental health personnel to develop and implement a program that best suits their schools’ needs.