Building Belonging Through Positive Discipline

Positive Discipline is not about rewards and punishments. Instead, it’s about fostering connection, teaching problem-solving, and helping students build the tools they need to become resilient, empathetic, intrinsically motivated, and responsible community members. In classrooms across campus, you might hear teachers asking curious questions like, “What’s your plan?” or “How can we solve this problem together?” These moments are opportunities to build skills in self-regulation, collaboration, and accountability.

 

Throughout the year, we partner with HMS teachers, parents, and students to bring these ideas to life in meaningful and developmentally appropriate ways. Classroom routines such as class meetings allow students to listen, reflect, and make decisions together. In guidance lessons, our students practice identifying their emotions, using calming strategies, and working through conflicts with kindness and respect. We also offer parent workshops, creating space for caregivers to reflect, learn, and connect around shared parenting challenges.

Lower Years Counselor Mary Schuman

Perhaps most importantly, Positive Discipline helps us center belonging and significance in every interaction. When students feel seen, heard, and valued, they are more willing to take risks, repair relationships, and contribute to their learning community. We celebrate the many ways our High Meadows students grow as learners and as the individuals they are becoming. Our continued commitment to Positive Discipline ensures that every child is nurtured in an environment that is rooted in kindness, connection, and trust.