Columbia Elementary staff outline Conscious Discipline program, crediting fewer referrals and stronger staff–student connections

Columbia Elementary staff presented a detailed account of their multi-year Conscious Discipline rollout and the school-family structures they now use to teach social and emotional skills.

Kelly Pearson (introduced at the meeting) and colleagues described a sequence of training and coaching that began with an administrative conference in December 2022, incremental e-course work for administrators, attendance at a week-long CD1 institute in June 2024, and subsequent staff PDs. They said the district prioritized training adults first so staff could model new approaches for students.

Presenters described concrete practices: dividing students into four houses (for cross-grade connections), pairing classes with buddy classrooms, daily convocations with breathing and connection rituals, a 'safekeeper' ritual and a counseling corner for morning check-ins. They emphasized modeling, visuals (photos of students doing procedures), and small, repeatable commitments (monthly behavior targets) to build consistency.

Counselor Ms. Casla said Conscious Discipline "has made me a better teacher" and described how students learn to identify brain states and request breaks or a safe space. Robin Huffman, a special-education teacher, said the program gives staff strategies to help students self-regulate and to support peers who are struggling. Presenters acknowledged challenges—staff turnover and students new to the approach—but said discipline referrals have dropped and staff now step in for one another more readily.

Next steps include optional online e-courses for staff, mini PD sessions, book studies, and a long-term goal of sending more staff to a CD1 institute. Presenters said participation will be voluntary for staff not yet ready to adopt full practices.

The board thanked the presenters and praised early outcomes; no formal board action was required.