Positive Discipline Our goal is for the students to understand how their behavior impacts on themselves and others and to take responsibility for their behavior. We utilize “I messages,” Class Meetings and Peer Mediation to achieve this end. Behavior that creates a disruption in the educational process will be addressed and may require an immediate response from the director. Any behavior related to violence, vandalism, sexual misconduct, bias, or substance abuse will be treated as special cases and the disposition of these cases will be decided based upon the particulars of each incident.

Teri LaSala is our consultant for the Positive Discipline program, which provides students and teachers with the tools and skills necessary to successfully implement effective class meetings. In addition, the Positive Discipline program is designed to teach students essential life skills and important personal perceptions of courage, confidence and capability. This is an excellent character education program that encourages the development of emotional intelligence. One of the fringe benefits of this program is that it leads to the reduction and/or elimination of most discipline problems.

Class Meetings are designed to enhance cooperation, collaboration, problem-solving skills, conflict resolution, communication skills, accountability, responsibility, self-discipline, self-esteem and mutual respect. Every day at Unity begins with class meetings, and Wednesday provides an opportunity for each learning group to extend the meeting time to address any issues that arise from week to week.

Multiage Grouping Students at Unity are taught in learning groups of different ages, allowing for more flexibility in addressing students’ academic, social and emotional needs. Students have the opportunity to work in cooperative groups and as contributing members of a team. This type of scheduling allows students to progress according to their academic needs and not just their chronological age.

Democratic Governance (DG) Meeting takes place on alternating Wednesdays during the last period. It is comprised of staff, students and interested parents. The scope and jurisdiction of the school meeting focuses on non-academic operations and offers the students the experience of self-governance and self-management of issues affecting the day-to-day operations of the school. Agenda items are primarily generated through class meetings and are generally addressed in the order they are received. The meetings are chaired by volunteering students on a rotating basis.

Judiciary Committee meets on Wednesdays on an "as needed" basis. Students or staff may request a meeting of the Judiciary Committee, if they believe the Unity Code of Conduct has been violated and the issue cannot be resolved in another manner. The Judiciary Committee consists of five students, ages ten or older, and one staff member. All jurors are selected by lottery. Although the hearings related to the case may be open to others, the decision making process is not a public session. Jurors agree to consider the session as confidential. Whenever possible, the jurors will strive for consensus. When consensus cannot be reached, a vote may be taken. Final decisions are announced at Democratic Governance meetings.

Personalized Learning Plans Each student is recognized as being unique, and based on this understanding staff, in collaboration with students and their parents, develop personalized learning plans. Students will have the opportunity to realize their full potential as their unique learning styles, multiple intelligences, weaknesses, strengths, academic passions and individual interests are identified, assessed and supported. Opportunities will be given to each student, throughout the school day, to learn at their own pace and level.

Peer Mediation may be requested by students who are having difficulty resolving a conflict with another student. Mediators are students, ages ten or older, who have received training at Unity. The mediation process involves two student mediators and the two students with a conflict. This process is useful in helping students to see both sides of an issue and to recognize the feelings experienced by the parties involved in conflict. Once the true issue/problem is identified, and agreed upon by the parties, solutions are offered through a brainstorming session. The students in conflict agree upon a possible solution that is considered to be a win-win situation. Finally, all parties agree to keep the discussion confidential. Formal peer mediations are generally scheduled for Wednesday mornings. Situations that involve violence are not dealt with through peer mediation; these incidents are reported to the director and handled at his/her level.