Valle Catholic has introduced a new approach to disciplining children called Virtue-Based Restorative Discipline. With traditional discipline, when misbehavior occurs, we ask: what happened, who is responsible, and what punishment needs to be assigned.
Restorative practices can offer teachers and students a foundation with which to build, maintain, and restore relationships. Children are given a voice in helping adults understand the reason behind their actions. Everyone involved can have a shared responsibility and accountability for what has occurred.
When a situation takes place that calls for teacher intervention, the student and the teacher dialogue about the incident to see how the outcome could have been different and what action could be taken to practice a particular virtue the next time the student finds himself in a similar situation.
Different virtues and their meanings have been explained to the students. These virtues include: Fortitude, Justice, Prudence, Integrity, Friendship, Compassion, Truthfulness, Generosity, Unity and Loyalty. The Catechism of the Catholic Church defines virtue as: an habitual and firm disposition to do good. It allows the person not only to perform good acts, but to give the best of himself.
To help the students become more engaged in this entire process, Virtue Awards have been created to present to students that are ‘Living Virtue’. Staff members are on the lookout for students practicing virtues. These students are presented with a certificate; their name is put in for an end-of-the-month drawing to receive a special treat: Six lucky students were chosen to have lunch with principal Dr. Mark Gilligan, and assistant principal, Mrs. Jill Metzger.
Here are October’s Virtue Award Winners:
October Virtue List
Pre-school
Teagan Peterson
Brody Wolk
Mikayla Basler
Charlie Naeger
Luther Sellers
Kindergarten
Cole Bauman
Parker Warren
Mason Trollinger
Trevor Roth
Sam Kuehn
Paige Gielow
Eli Wehner
Audrey Gegg
First
Lane Okenfuss
Madison Joggerst
Mackenzie Buchheit
Jacob Warren
Alaric Drost
Easton Koetting
Nolan Prehm
Johanna Bales
Second
Lexi Warren
Austin Ringwald
Colin Anderson
Braden Smith
Elizabeth Heberlie
Waylon Samples
Third
Camryn Skaggs
Gavyn Joggerst
Nicole Gegg
Fourth
Nick Oliver
Collin Abt
Emily Flieg
Macy Wolk
Jacob Calbreath
Kaden Gegg
Peter Roth
Braden Coleman
Fifth
Sami Loida
Sixth
Job Zerwig
Cory Stoll
Kolten Naeger
Eva Oberle
Kyle Steiger
Bryna Blum
Seventh
Mabry Basler
Nick Koetting
Drew Metzger
Owen Viox
Trey Huck
Parker Skaggs
Kylie Samples
Eighth
Aiden McGowan
Maddie Flieg
Carter Roth
Kellen Blum
Drew Kraenzle