Student Code of Conduct

At Bucks County Montessori Charter School [BCMCS], it is important that the students clearly understand the policy set forth by BCMCS and possible consequences for violating rules within our policy. First and foremost, we adhere to the fact that our children are our most precious gifts. Through nurturing and sensitivity, we hope to prepare them to attain the highest levels of personal and social achievement so that they will become constructive contributors in our community and in future communities for which they will belong.

With this in mind, it is essential that our ultimate objective is reflected in the methods of discipline used at BCMCS. Our approach is to lead children towards self- discipline—and our intention is to avoid spending unnecessary time responding and reacting to behavior problems; but rather, to focus the attention on prevention, placing the focus on self-discipline and independence within the children to handle circumstances themselves.

The Montessori Method addresses the need of change toward positive behavior through peer influences, lesson planning or instruction whenever possible—it is  integrated within the Montessori philosophy. Maria Montessori stated that discipline needs to be more of a learning condition and less a punitive experience. The child is more interested in the process; whereas adults are typically more interested in the product. Montessori warned that if we judge children by our own measure, we will frustrate their efforts at self-development. If we recognize that the children‘s purpose is self- development and we respect their efforts, children will develop self-discipline through their work and, thus, obedience will follow.

In our Montessori school, the child‘s opinion is asked for and respected, and the child is invited to share his/her view. Montessori students want to follow the rules when the rules are clearly defined. When prepared for in this manner, it invites the child to assume responsibility for his/her behavior. Assuming responsibility for behavior is to understand and accept the consequences for violating rules. In that instant, as discipline being seen as a learning experience, it will be executed by the staff and personnel of BCMCS as outlined in this Code of Conduct document.