Augusta, Farmington, Skowhegan, Madison, Pittsfield, Waterville and Winthrop. About 4 percent of students are discipline problems but dealing with the problems they generate occupies a majority of her time. The small groups meet regularly and kids are free to talk about issues affecting them. The children all like it, knowing that someone in the building is looking out for them. At the Albert S Hall Elementary School in Waterville, educators are united in the desire to create a safe, social climate that is free of offensive language, hostility, and intimidation, according to Principal Susan DeBlois.
Language is the weapon.
If they don't stand up for themselves in a nonviolent way and get an adult to stop the behavior, we tell them that they become part of the problem. The biggest obstacle she encounters is lack of resources. She said bullies see themselves as doing nothing wrong and have little empathy or perception of how their targets feel. Children can be taught compassion and to be assertive, show respect and exert self-control, she said. They are as important as math and reading.