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IIRP, which is based in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, has been working with the local Bethlehem Area School District the past two years to implement restorative practices at two large  high schools and at other schools in the district. Lehigh Valley PBS TV (Public Broadcasting System) included a five minute segment about the implementation in a recent 30-minute program called Tempo, which focused on the question of bullying in schools. The segment includes interviews with IIRP instructor Mary Jo Hebling and examples of how restorative circles are being used by teachers in classes.

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On her blog this weekend, Lorenn Walker posted a piece about what she sees as the significance of the restorative justice conference used at the pre-sentencing phase of the Ann Grosmaire murder case. Here's an excerpt from her piece, with links preserved:

[Paul] Tullis’s article [in the New York Times Magazine] made an important contribution by describing how restorative justice can be used at the plea agreement stage of a murder case, by “vividly tell[ing] the story from the perspectives of the different parties that took part in the process” as pointed out by Hadar Aviram, law professor at the University of California Hastings College of Law in San Francisco.

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This video is from American Humane, which formerly housed the National Center on Family Group Decision Making, now a part of the Kempe Center. The video describes the Family Group Decision Making process, a restorative practice for engaging families to find their own solutions to problems.

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From the Washington Post

Denver, Colorado, is in the national news this week. At a time when some are calling to beef up police security in schools, Denver is limiting by contractual agreement the role of police in schools, and requiring training for those police who will remain so that they do not wind up criminalizing more students. The approach calls for restorative justice. The Washington Post reports:

As communities across the country beef up police presence in schools, Denver may become a national counterpoint Tuesday, when officials plan to sign an agreement to limit the role of law enforcement at the city’s schools — a move that could mean fewer students will face arrest or citation for disciplinary infractions.

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Creative Commons / Roche PhotoCreative Commons / Roche Photo

Melinda Clynes, has written an article for Michigan Night Light (whose tag line is "Illuminating Solutions for Children") titled "Repairing Detroit Through Restorative Practices." Clynes begins by quoting Henry McClendon, Michigan Regional Coordinator for the IIRP:

According to Henry McClendon, program officer at The Skillman Foundation, Detroit doesn’t have a crime problem; we have a relationship problem.

He believes that crime is the symptom, while broken relationships are the problem.

When crime happens, we treat the symptom. We ask what law was broken, who broke it, and what kind of punishment it deserves. It keeps victim and offender apart.

The same thing happens in schools. Students get in trouble, and they’re suspended or expelled. Once back at school, the perpetrator is still angry; the victim is still angry – or afraid. And, the suspended student’s chance of graduating on time begins to buckle.

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Last week I posted a link to a story about a school district that invited representatives of local churches to learn about its implementation ofrestorative practices. Today I have news of a program I recently learned about that involves a partnership between faith congregations and organizations that provide restorative services to communities. Shalem Mental Health Network has the news on its web site:

Shalem and the International Institute of Restorative Practices (IIRP) – Canada have embarked together on the Hosting Project, where faith communities of all faiths – Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Sikh, Jewish and other – act as hosts of restorative processes that happen in their local communities. Hosting connects deeply with themes of hospitality and sanctuary that are central to all of the world’s major religions.

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In the coming year IIRP will be offering three different 4Day Events in a host of locations nationwide.

  • Basic Restorative Practices   Four days of professional development, exploring the full range of restorative practices. Day 1: Introduction to Restorative Practices. Day 2: Using Circles Effectively. Day 3: Facilitating Restorative Conferences. Day 4: Family Engagement.
  • Restorative Responses to Grief, Trauma and Adversity   This event will teach you how to employ restorative practices such as restorative conferences to respond effectively to serious incidents. Acquire valuable skills for responding to trauma and grief. Explore the grieving process from a fresh and practical perspective. Address the essential issue of self-care. View and discuss videos of powerful true stories.
  • Restorative Leadership Development: Authority with Grace   A highly participatory and engaging experience for managers, supervisors, teachers, parents or anyone in a position of responsibility or authority. Over the four days you will learn the principles of restorative leadership, an engaging, collaborative and effective way to exercise your authority.

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A creative application of restorative justice from Canada.

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IIRP instructor Steve Korr will be presenting the first day's keynote, "Restorative Practices: A Systemic Model for Change in Schools," at the American Council for School Social Work Conference, which takes place February 18-19, 2013, at Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. Following the keynote, Steve will also be doing an interactive workshop on "Restorative Practices in Schools."

Steve's keynote is an indication of how restorative practices is gaining credence nationally. Steve has been involved in implementing whole-school change through restorative practices nationwide and will share his experiences with this large, important group of school professionals who are on the front lines dealing with mental health and violence issues in schools. The ACSSW wanted a keynote on restorative practices because it is becoming known as an evidence-based practice.

More information about the ACSSW conference can be found here.

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Balloon release at Fenger High School, from video uploaded by Robert SpicerRobert Koehler's column this week for the Chicago Tribune focuses on a school transformation at Fenger High School in Chicago.

"Fenger used to have a terrible reputation, which reached its nadir a little over three years ago when one of its students, Derrion Albert, was caught in the middle of a gang melee on his way home from school and beaten to death with two-by-fours," writes Koehler. "His murder was caught on a cellphone video and became international news."

But now students are taught skills to handle conflict, alternatives to violence, which are making a huge difference:

While meanness, disrespect, misunderstanding and temper flare-ups are part of life everywhere, in some neighborhoods they can be life-or-death issues. Teaching social skills, empathy, respect and the ability to listen are absolutely crucial. And it can’t be done half-heartedly, said Robert Spicer, Fenger’s Culture and Climate coordinator and the person who facilitates the school’s peer jury program. “Lives are at stake.”

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