Welcome!

1. Welcome! Dave Kisch Stillwater Area High School Resource Officer Mary Leadem Ticiu Stillwater Area High School Assistant Principal

2. Introductions • Why we are here… • Create an understanding of the possibilities of partnership • Share our common interests: community & school are stakeholders in community • Clarify how RJ circles make a difference in school climate and the culture we create

3. Demographics • 2,250 students 10-12 • Washington County • Small town feel • First ring suburb • 3 AP’s, 6 counselors, 1 SRO

4. What is a School Resource Officer? • Officer Kisch, Oak Park Heights Police Department, Black Pony Center • On site investigation and school/community safety and security

5. What is an Assistant Principal? • Serve students and families whose last names fall between A-Ha, Hb-O, or P-Z • Student discipline • Staff development • School safety • Diversity • MNHSL Fine Arts Liaison/Academic co-curriculars

6. Success in safety depends upon… • Good planning • Good security • Swift identification of threats that are real • Quick response with intervention to prevent violence

7. Needed an alternative to formal system • Joined staff with background as RJ Planner • YCAPP program for alternatives to suspension • Teachers who care about 3R’s: Relationships, Rigor, Relevance • Community accountability • School is a place of learning and discipline means to learn • Can always resort to punitive model if RJ fails

8. What is a Circle? • You can have a circle in a square • Non hierarchical group and yet be honest of intent if you plan to have added consequences outside of the group. • Take off your hat but not your interests • Level the playing field • Share power • Proximity is intentional

9. Who is involved? Direct participants Those who have the most to gain from the impact of understanding perspectives and the resulting agreement/offering. Voluntary-More honestly voluntary coercion applies

10. Who can have a Circle? • Full admission of responsibility • Willingness to respect process and participants • Commitment to make a change and restore despite the past

11. What kind of offenses? Circles are for the most serious level of offense They often require a serious time commitment. RED TAPE EXERCISE

12. Types of Circles • Accountability • Learning • Healing • Sentencing • Other

13. Real life examples… • Harassment of new bus driver • Possession of weapons • Homecoming tradition of streaking • Social skills for Asperger’s/Autism spectrum • Information on website: http://www.asperger.org • Theft from team member

14. Additional examples • Suspension • IEP • Reentry from suspension or alternative placement

15. Truth… • Not everything changes in a circle

16. Learning beyond expected • What challenges have we seen? • Repeat issues with girlfriend and boyfriend contact • Ironically, some students experience more power, fun, love, belonging in circle and want to misbehave to be given opportunity to “circle up” and be heard. • Hence, we see a need to have circles to celebrate success in classrooms and beyond.

17. Do you believe… • All behavior has a purpose. • Behavior is an attempt to meet an unmet need. • Our students come to school with the intent to be and do their best. • Conflict is an opportunity to learn. • Life is not fair. • Change takes time.

18. Restorative partnership • Slides for school wide class meetings • Meet and Greet everywhere you can • Present at orientation and other school activities • Classroom guidance • Parent advice for issues of use/theft that may not be charged but must be addressed • Active School wide Safety Committee • SIT and RTI

19. School’s Discipline Policy Includes Restorative Measures • Restorative measures • Restitution symbolic and financial • Exit conference with emphasis on PIES or the Physical, Intellectual, Emotional, Spiritual/Social needs

20. Ask good questions and investigate • Seek answers • Listen to all parties • Expect change • Coordinate and communicate with family members on the first instance

21. Is hazing a problem here? • Clearly defined policy and immediate consequences apply! • “Committing an act against a student, or coercing a student into committing an act, that creates a substantial risk of harm to a person in order for the student to become initiated into a student organization.” • SAHS is a student organization, activities, clubs, etc. • Could include: physical or emotional components, forcing the use of chemicals, or depriving individuals of basic needs.

22. But it’s okay to haze during Homecoming right? No, it is never okay to act against the will of another. • Hazing taken seriously • Notify staff or administration • Administrators will investigate • Parents/Police will be contacted • Discipline policy is followed

23. Can I be suspended for fighting in school? • Yes, you can • Investigations • Criminal charges could be filed • Seek staff, counselor, administrator for help before • Every student has an obligation to retreat

24. How do I avoid a fight? • Bring it on…in an admin or counselor setting. • Use circle as a means to an end. • This is a school and a place for us to provide for an education first. • Conflict creates an opportunity. • Believe it and model it. I.e. staff have option to use circle in lieu of insubordination

25. Suspension Data

26. Thank you! Questions… feel free to contact us kischd@stillwater.k12.mn.us OR ticium@stillwater.k12.mn.us