Located in the affluent Birmingham district northwest of Detroit, Bingham Farms celebrates being one of the more ethnically diverse schools in the area. Encouraged by the district to develop a touchstone, this school’s staff, students, and parents are now unified around their vision for positive character known as the “Bingham Best.” According to Principal Russ Facione, the touchstone allows students to “reflect and refocus” and take charge of their choices. “It has literally transformed discipline in our building,” he adds. The school also boasts numerous Promising Practices awards and creative strategies that have enabled students to succeed—both academically and socially. All students, for example, have learned a five-step conflict resolution strategy called Solve-It-Spot. Students are reminded of the steps through posters placed around the school and practice during class meetings. Students report that the strategy is informally implemented by peers, and parents testify to seeing Solve-It-Spot practiced at home.

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