Co op rule enforcing ideas needed

[khenn]

I am on the board for a large co op in our area. We have approximately 100 students but have grown to be this size in only a few short years. So our co op is very young and we are learning as we grow.

Last year, it became evident that we need to step it up in the enforcement of the rules but how to do that is unclear to us.

Does anyone have suggestions? We have rules in place, we make students and parents sign off on a list of the most important ones, we have an assembly at the beginning of the year to go over the rules...so that part we have covered.

Now...how do we enforce them? What can we do to kids who break the rules?

Thanks for any ideas!
Kellie

[chfriend]

What kind of rules?

[phathui5]

Are you talking about behavior issues that are happening at the co-op?

[elizawill]

if you have kids breaking the rules, give them a warning first, and then get their parents. that's how i would handle it. if it's really problematic with a specific child, i'd simply address it with the parent.

what kind of issues are concerning you? what are the rules?

[khenn]

I think the biggest issue is respect of authority. The older kids have been with us for 5 years and are very comfortable. We did get new students each year but the group is pretty cozy and comfy and the kids get a little too relaxed in their respect for the moms as authority figures.

We also meet in a church that many of the kids attend so again...they are comfortable there.

I know when my class lets out, it's almost mayhem as the kids flock to the door. They do not get up in an orderly fashion, get the backpack, and walk out. I had 15 fifth and sixth graders last year in one class and it was a stampede when it came time to leave.

They tend to talk back at times to the moms who ask them to pick up something or help out.

So I guess it really boils down to respect. How do we get them to respect the building, the teachers, and each other effectively?

Kellie

[TwinMom]

Our co-op has a form called Expected Classroom Behaviors that every child 5+ has to sign that details specific behaviors. It really helps, knowing that every single child knows what to do or not to do, and if misbehavior happens, we have that on hand to show to the child and parent.