Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/129419
SUSPENSION Kevin Thao and Chris Her play kendama during lunch at Jackman Middle School. behavior should look like when a substitute teacher is present. "It was not defensive and better than detention," says Garza. "When everyone sits in a circle and feels like they have buyworries she'll make new friends and talk Concerned about high suspension rates, in, we can describe what a positive culture to them. She offers to attend study hall to the school board asked the junior high to looks like. It didn't happen again." catch up. pilot the program before it went districtwide. Science teacher Julie Kluss refers Harkey offers an "intervention" with him- Santa Barbara Teachers Association memfewer students to the principal with the self, the student and science teacher to work bers jumped on board. new approach. "When you out a plan. Meanwhile, he'll ask the teacher "We're proud to lead the listen to students without to put a Post-It on Marssy's desk to signal way," says math teacher Kathjudgment and ask how you when a seat change is necessary, so the lesson leen Glenn, one of five school can help them, you develop can continue uninterrupted. employees who went to Denver a better relationship with Welcome to Santa Barbara Junior High Public Schools for training. them." School's restorative justice approach, which Posters in every classroom "Initially some teachers improved student behavior and cut the susdepict the Five R's: Respect, had dread and suspicion," pension rate this year. It's a novel approach Responsibility, Relationships, art teacher John Houchin to find out why things happen, letting stuRepair and Reintegration. recalls. "But teachers dents take responsibility for their actions and "There's no one-size-fits-all embraced the restorative Marilyn Garza communicating about ways to prevent bad approach," says Glenn. "It has justice approach. It changed behavior in the future. to be customized for each stuthe climate of our school. "I like talking with somebody I'm comdent and the offense. We still need traditional It's not just a program; it's a gift." fortable with," says Marssy, who discipline and referrals. But it's working for a To learn more, visit prefers that her last name not be lot of kids. We take care of issues at the class- www.restorativejusticecolorado.org/ disclosed. "It helps me." room level with a few minutes in the hallway restorative-justice-in-schools.html. and a quick discussion. Kids feel empowered to talk about why they did what they did and their feelings. They don't need to take Don't know what kendama is? it any further or act out, because they've Check it out! been heard." Science teacher Marilyn Garza found www.cta.org/kendama it helpful to have her entire class sit in a circle with three teachers and a counselor when her students behaved badly for a substitute. They talked about what good 20 California Educator May 2013