Building Strong School Communities Through Restorative Practices

img_2572.jpg

Marisa Martinez and her third-graders looks on as Principal Tracy Peoples shares in the community circle. Photo by Jen Chien/KALW Crosscurrents

By Jen Chien, KALW Crosscurrents

In October, a group of students from the 100% College Prep Club in the Bayview district marched into the San Francisco Unified School District board meeting. They were protesting suspensions for “willful defiance” – a vague term that in practice can encompass everything from talking back to a teacher to wearing a hat indoors. About a quarter of all suspensions in the district were for “disruption or defiance” last school year, and “willful defiance” infractions are the cause of 53% of suspensions statewide. AB420, a state bill to limit these kinds of suspensions, has made it through the Assembly, but has not yet been signed by the governor.

But the district has already made changes. In 2009, the school board dissolved what was then called the “Discipline Task Force” in favor of a new “Restorative Justice and School Climate Task Force.” It also made an official districtwide shift to the use of Restorative Practices. Now, students as young as kindergartners are learning the philosophy and techniques.

Read the complete story at KALW Crosscurrents. 

To learn more about restorative practices in S.F. schools, read the San Francisco Public Press’ award-winning  articles on experiments in San Francisco with “restorative justice.” 

Don't miss out on our newest articles, episodes and events!
Sign up for our newsletter