It falls upon educators to create a cooperative
learning environment where students are safe to express themselves in
all their diversity. It is also the responsibility of educators to teach
children that diversity is something to be celebrated, not ridiculed and
that use of hurtful words is unacceptable. A system wide Code of
Discipline will help reduce name calling. Unacceptable behavior could
include willful, obscene, abusive or profane language or gestures
(including racial, religious, ethnic or sexual slurs). Specific
consequences for infractions of the code could be initiated. With
system-wide support, commitment and policies a discipline code is very
effective in eliminating name-calling not only in the classroom, but
also in the hallways and playgrounds where it is more pervasive.
Source: Alone No More, Minnesota Department of
Education, 1994 |
