Catholics schools using national program on discipline see benefits

Published: 2005-02-09

ST. PAUL, Minn. (CNS) -- Now when principal Mary Roles raises her hand in the cafeteria, the room of energetic grade school students becomes silent. "That's never happened before (this year)," she said. St. Hubert School in Chanhassen is one of seven schools in the Archdiocese of St. Paul-Minneapolis that have noticed a change in student behavior as a result of implementing a nationally recognized program called Discipline With Purpose. With the help of the program, Catholic schools are teaching their elementary and junior high students self-discipline. Discipline With Purpose is based on the philosophy that social and behavior skills are learned and can be taught in the classroom like any other skill. The goal is "to find a way to teach responsibility and respect in language children can understand," according to the program's Web site on the Internet, www.selfdisciplinedwp.com. "We cannot assume that when a child comes to school they have learned the appropriate behavior and social skills that will allow them to be successful," said Helen Dahlman, principal of Risen Christ School in south Minneapolis. Starting with preschool children, the program emphasizes 15 self-discipline skills that develop responsible, safe, legal and moral behaviors as the student ages. Teachers are provided a curriculum that encourages behaviors such as respecting oneself, others and things; contributing to a classroom environment; and following classroom procedures.

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