Transcript SAHS Student Meetings 2003-04

Welcome!
Dave Kisch
Stillwater Area High School Resource Officer
Mary Leadem Ticiu
Stillwater Area High School Assistant Principal
Introductions
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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
Demographics
2,250 students 10-12
 Washington County
 Small town feel
 First ring suburb
 3 AP’s, 6 counselors,
1 SRO
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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
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What is an Assistant Principal?
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Serve students and families whose last names
fall between A-Ha, Hb-O, or P-Z
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Student discipline
Staff development
School safety
Diversity
MNHSL Fine Arts Liaison/Academic co-curriculars
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Success in safety depends upon…
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Good planning
Good security
Swift identification of
threats that are real
Quick response with
intervention to prevent
violence
Needed an alternative to formal
system
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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
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
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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
Who can have a Circle?
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Full admission of responsibility
Willingness to respect process and participants
Commitment to make a change and restore
despite the past
What kind of offenses?
Circles are for the most serious level of offense
They often require a serious time commitment.
RED TAPE EXERCISE
Types of Circles
•Accountability
•Learning
•Healing
•Sentencing
•Other
Real life examples…
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Harassment of new bus
driver
Possession of weapons
Homecoming tradition of
streaking
Social skills for
Asperger’s/Autism spectrum
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Information on website:
http://www.asperger.org
Theft from team member
Additional examples
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Suspension
IEP
Reentry from
suspension or
alternative placement
Truth…
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Not everything changes in a circle
Learning beyond expected
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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.
Do you believe…
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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.
Restorative partnership
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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
School’s Discipline Policy Includes
Restorative Measures
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Restorative measures
Restitution symbolic and
financial
Exit conference with
emphasis on PIES or the
Physical, Intellectual,
Emotional,
Spiritual/Social needs
Ask good questions and investigate
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Seek answers
Listen to all parties
Expect change
Coordinate and communicate with family
members on the first instance
Is hazing a problem here?
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Clearly defined policy and immediate
consequences apply!
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“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.
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But it’s okay to haze during
Homecoming right?
No, it is never okay to act against the will of
another.
 Hazing taken seriously
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Notify staff or administration
Administrators will investigate
Parents/Police will be contacted
Discipline policy is followed
Can I be suspended for fighting in
school?
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Yes, you can
Investigations
Criminal charges could
be filed
Seek staff, counselor,
administrator for help
before
Every student has an
obligation to retreat
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
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Suspension Data
School
2004-05
2005-06
2006-07
2007-08
SAHS
Suspensions
212
116
87
25
YCAPP
62
79
90
45
19
30
18
122
87
34
62
41
23
61
31
12
SJHS
Suspensions
YCAPP
133
OJHS
Suspensions
YCAPP
86
Thank you!
Questions…
feel free to contact
us
[email protected]
OR
[email protected]