At Johnsburg Elementary School in Illinois, Principal Bridget Belcastro handles disciplinary incidents involving young students with care and consideration. Recently, a group of fifth-grade boys were involved in a playground altercation during football, prompting a discussion about the incident. Nationally, there’s a trend of using suspensions for various misbehaviours, even among elementary students, which can sometimes be typical behaviour for children their age. Experts emphasise that suspensions, especially for younger kids, can have detrimental effects, eroding trust in school and teachers. Schools like Johnsburg Elementary are trying to limit suspensions and focus on preventive measures like social-emotional learning programs. However, some states have relaxed policies on suspensions post-pandemic due to increased disciplinary challenges. Ultimately, fostering a supportive environment and teaching emotional regulation skills can help address behavioural issues more effectively than punitive measures.
