Our children are looking for guidance and direction.  Children actually expect to be disciplined and are much happier in a state of reasonable regulation.  Teachers and parents realize that good discipline procedures are and essential part of a teacher's responsibility.  The teacher is always in authority and that authority must be respected at all times. 

The majority of behavior problems remain within the domain of the classroom teacher and the school administration will function only in an advisor capacity.  Classroom discipline cases are to be referred to the administrator ONLY after individual student and parent conferences and other action by the teacher seem to be failing.  The administrator is NOT the first line of discipline but is an additional resource to assist the teacher to enforce God's rules as well as school rules.

We feel that standards of discipline must be maintained so that each child and the group as a whole can cooperate freely within a structured framework which they understand, accept and incorporate into their behavior without consistent reminder or punishment.  Discipline is not only punishment; it is developing self-discipline.  If discipline is only negative, then the child responds negatively.  The Bible commands parents to "provoke not children to wrath, but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord".

It is strongly recommended that parents read "The Strong-Willed Child" and "The New Dare to Discipline" by Dr. James Dobson.  The biblical principles of discipline set forth by Dr. Dobson are those by which the faculty and staff of MVE will be guided.