Unity Charter: We're Ahead of Curve on Respect

When Gov. Chris Christie declared a “week of responsibility” to help curtailbullying, the staff of United Charter School “almost laughed,” school director Carolyn Mungo said.

That's because Unity was founded on principles that include emphasizing mutual respect—the idea wasn't anything new for the staff and students there.

This positive discipline, which is called in some schools “character education,” is integrated in the program at Unity all day, starting with a school meeting each morning that features compliments and acknowledgements.

“The students actually run the meeting, even kindergarteners speak before all 180 students and 25 staff members,” Mungo said.

After the school meeting, each class has a meeting that also includes compliments and acknowledgements as well as planning for the day. The classes can discuss any area of concern. If there has been an incident, which in the lower grades could be something like a child cutting in line, or in the older classes someone monopolizing the conversation, there is discussion about it.

This emphasis on respect is integrated into the program all day every day. Each child has a personal learning plan, which can be updated, that is based on the child’s social and emotional, as well as intellectual needs.

Positive discipline is taught to the teachers, emphasizing “the importance of belonging and significance, respect for all people, encouragement, strategies for reducing misbehavior and the development of problem solving skills,” according to a press release issued by the school.

The press release described the goals: “to engage the entire school community; administrators, teachers, students and parents; in creating a strong foundation for the social and emotional development of the child. 

Unity is well-known for its positive approach to discipline, Mungo said. The school works with a consultant, Teresa LaSala and is rated a Level III Demonstration School for positive discipline by the Positive Discipline Association, an international organization.

Parents are instructed in two workshops and can sign up for a seven week course, Mungo said.

Mungo said students who come to Unity after having problems in other schools show remarkable changes, becoming more respectful and better at group activities.