Disciplinary Structure

Most schools encourage “good” behavior by enforcing policies and rules through punishment and/or chastisement. Although this method might be effective in other schools, Khabele takes a different approach. Our approach is to use every mistake and break in integrity as a learning opportunity. We do not relate to disciplinary issues and problems as interruptions to the learning process. We believe that they are a critical and integral aspect of the learning experience. As long as the community member stays committed to the promise, each mistake is an opportunity for growth and development.

Generally, there are no punishments for breaking the Community Promises; there is simply a learning opportunity for that community member to get to the source of the broken promise, and perhaps to uncover an obsolete Mental Model. We are encouraged to use each opportunity to develop our ability to be responsible for our actions, commitments, and results in life.

Consistent with the Principle of Integrity, we achieve this by interacting with each person as if (s)he has that capacity regardless of his/her past or circumstances. Our job is to “hold” each other’s greatness until it is realized.

We believe that schools driven by the fear of punishment inhibit development, original action and creative thought. However, in the few cases when a student continually breaks the Promises without any intention to use the incidents as opportunities for growth, (s)he can be disciplined or even removed from the school by the Honor Council.

Honor Council

Our school government is comprised of the Honor Council, the Treasury and the Pitso.

The Honor Council is comprised of the Director and up to eighteen Community Leaders. It meets ad-hoc, depending on an incident, crisis, or request from the Pitso. The Honor Council has the power to discipline members of the community, including suspension, expulsion or termination. Decisions can be appealed in the Pitso and over ruled with 75% of the votes. The intention of the Honor Council is to provide a structure for student generated discipline and support in fulfilling the Community Promises.

Pitso

Pitso is a Sesotho word (a dialect from Southern Africa), meaning meeting of the people. In Lesotho (a Southern African country), it has been an opportunity for all of the people to gather and voice their opinions.

At Khabele, the Pitso will happen on most Mondays. It can be attended by any and all members of the community, including parents and board members. During the Pitso, anything can be brought up or said, for example, a disagreement between two students, or anger at a particular incident.

It is also an opportunity for people to share what’s going on with them, perform music, discuss the Virtues, or talk about the general health of the community.

However, there are some strict rules during the Pitso:

1. The leader of the meeting shall hold a bell.

2. The leader rotates from each Advisory Group

3. Every time the bell is rung, it is followed with three minutes of silence.

a. The bell is rung at the beginning of the meeting and at the end.

b. It is rung when the leader determines that things are out of hand, the meeting is off-topic, or that people are being disrespectful.

c. The bell is also rung when any member requests a pause if they determine the same.

4. The other members of the community may attempt to resolve conflicts along with the leader but it is the leader’s responsibility to ensure that it’s a valuable meeting.

5. If the conflict is unable to be resolved during the Pitso, the leader may refer the parties to the Honor Council.

The Treasury

The Treasury is comprised of the Director of Finance and one representative from each Advisory. It controls a budget starting at $5,000. It makes grants and loans to advisory groups and teachers for use on projects, fundraisers, business ventures and travel.

For loans, it charges an interest rate and creates payment schedules.

The Treasury’s intention is to make available financial resources for teacher, student and advisory projects.

Admissions Council

Admissions Council is comprised of at least one staff member and three students. Admissions Council enrolls students based on consensus. It is also responsible for the admission process and determining the structure of trial days.

All-for-One Policy

The purpose of the All-for-One policy is to hold students accountable for their school Promises while developing a greater sense of community awareness. Many people grow up assuming that their actions do not affect others. The All-for-One Policy is designed to enable community members to become more aware of the impact of their actions on school.

If a student leaves campus and is not allowed to either by their parent or by their Advisor, then all members of their Advisory Group (including the Adivosr) have lunch together for two days.

Advisory Group

At Khabele, we promise an extremely high level of support and communication. Each and every student is valued and “seen” for their greatness. No student slips through the cracks. We are committed that each and every parent is informed and involved in the student’s overall development. To ensure this level of integrity, each student is assigned an Advisor for the year. Each Advisor is responsible for 10 to 15 students. The Advisor is the one staff member who is accountable for ensuring those students’ overall success and development in the Virtues.

This is done in many ways including but not limited to the following…

• The Advisor takes an unwavering and personal interest in the student.

• The Advisor stays in steady communication with the advisee’s parents, including any great accomplishments.

• The Advisor arranges meetings between teachers and parents in the event of academic or social issues.

• The Advisor collects the student’s best work to facilitate the creation of the student portfolio. The student portfolio is a documentation of the student’s experiences, including best work, Project Week, goals and journals.

• The Advisor supports each student in having a valuable and productive Project Week, by serving as a mentor or finding an appropriate mentor for his/her advisee.

• The Advisor empowers each student through personal coaching conversations. These conversations use Mental Models and other approaches to help each student move beyond their past.

• The Advisor facilitates birthday party and acknowledgments for each of their advisees.

• If an Advisor determines that one of their advisees does not have the capacity to handle themselves safely and responsibly at Khabele, it is that advisor’s obligation to make sure that the student is asked to leave before the end of their thirty-day trial period.