Discipline

     Throughout the ages of elementary education, schoolmasters have used a variety of tactics to discipline their students, ranging from praise to scolding, from physical punishment to shame and embarrassment.

Punishment Colonial Style

     In America's early colonial days in the 1600s, schoolmasters frequently spent more time keeping the kids in line than teaching the students to read or write.  Some towns had a lot of trouble trying to find schoolmasters who were willing to try to teach.  Bigger boys had fun thrashing or kicking the teacher out of town.  Only the toughest and strongest could handle such boys.  The whipping post and the pillory, which was a wooden frame in which the boy or girl had to put in their hands and head, were the more severe forms of punishment.  If you were caught talking in class, your knuckles might be rapped with a ruler.  If you fell asleep in class, you might be picked up from your seat by your left ear or even have your ankles burned in the sun with a magnifying glass!  Tardy students had to clean the blackboards or pick up trash around the school.  If the teacher happened to be a clergyman, he could also scare students with threats of eternal damnation if they didn't behave.

Typical Nineteenth Century Punishments

     Here are some examples of typical punishments from the Old Town School in San Diego, California dating back to the 1850s:

• Swearing at school - eight lashes.
• Misbehaving to girls - ten lashes.
• Playing cards at school - ten lashes.
• Girls going to boy s' play places - three lashes.
• Boys and girls playing together - four lashes.

• Telling lies - seven lashes.

Corporal Punishment

     Corporal punishment in schools occurs when the teacher or the "adult-in-charge" purposely inflicts pain upon a child in order to stop that child's unacceptable behavior and/or inappropriate language.  It is also used to prevent the child from repeating that behavior or offense and to set an example for others.  Did you know that only 27 states have laws that bar the use of corporal punishment in their schools?  States that have no laws banning corporal punishment are: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Deleware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Wyoming.

Discipline at Canyon View Elementary

    The Big Three

           Our student handbook outlines three basic rules that, if followed by all persons, would make our school a winner.

• Always be courteous towards others.
• Always tell the truth.
• Be respectful of others

     The Big Four

          There are four types of behavior which simply are not allowed at our school.

• Fighting is not allowed.  Students who choose to fight will be suspended.
• It is not acceptable to spit while at school.  Students who spit on anyone will be sent home for the day after their parents have been contacted.
• No throwing of sand, rocks or other objects.  Students who throw rocks or sand will be sent home from school after their parents have been notified.
• We have zero tolerance for name calling or inappropriate language. Students who choose to name call or use inappropriate language will receive an infraction slip and parents will be notified.

A word on harassment.  

Any type of harassment is not allowed at our school.  Here is how Canyon View handles discipline regarding harassment: The first time it happens, a warning is given to the student.  The second time it happens, the student will lose privileges. The third time it happens, the student will be suspended.

Do you have all the same rules at your school?