Opinion About that restorative justice

...There were at least 75 incidents that targeted a religious group in MCPS schools this year. An April report found that antisemitic incidents have more than tripled since July 1, 2022. As with all hate, there can be only one perspective: the realization of the impact that antisemitism has on the student victims...

Opinion | About that restorative justice - The Washington Post

Restorative Justice: An In-Depth Look in Response to Alleged Hate-Bias Incidents at B-CC

 “Until every student feels the school genuinely wants to help them and is willing to hear them without simultaneously passing personal judgment, the adults have not succeeded—both in the school and the larger family community.”

...After reporting the incident to administration, the students were brought into an RJ circle on January 9, with some students unaware that the circle was happening: “I thought we were about to take a test. The fact that [RJ] was taking place was a complete surprise,” a student reveals. Prior to the circle, an email sent by Administrator Rebecca Sutton to students and parents in the class stated that “we [B-CC administration] are still investigating the incident and working on restorative measures we can take to support the class.” Sutton shared with The Tattler, “we open all circles by expressing that they are voluntary, but have recently heard from students that they were unclear on how to excuse themselves, so we are working on improving the language around that to make it more clear as to how they excuse themselves.”..

Restorative Justice: An In-Depth Look in Response to Alleged Hate-Bias Incidents at B-CC – The Tattler (bcctattler.org)

Additionally, according to charging documents, police say Brown has “extensive criminal history.” #ClarksburgHS #Arrest #Robbery

5 Clarksburg High School students arrested after a handgun was brought to school

"...11-year-old daughter was sexually harassed by classmates. School staff members resorted to restorative justice methods, like talking circles, to iron out the situation..."

...At a recent school board meeting during which restorative justice was discussed, a handful of parents said the effort prioritizes students who act inappropriately over those who follow the rules.

Melissa King, a mother of three MCPS students, said she believes in restorative justice in certain situations, but MCPS has attempted to apply the practices in instances in which traditional discipline, like detention, suspension or expulsion, are necessary.

King said her 11-year-old daughter was sexually harassed by classmates. School staff members resorted to restorative justice methods, like talking circles, to iron out the situation, she said.

“What is happening in our schools is that students who have been harmed are being coerced into Kumbaya sessions rather than being protected from the egregious atrocities of other students who are barely capable of the empathy for such a talk,” King said. “I am here to ask you to protect our children from other children whose offenses are so egregious and so dangerous that they cannot be solved with a chit-chat over McDonald’s nuggets.”

Vicki Reyes, a mother of two high school students, echoed King’s sentiments and said MCPS behavioral expectations have declined under restorative justice practices.

Leaders of the MCPS restorative justice effort, however, say not all schools have received training on how to successfully carry out restorative justice. While the staff at those schools are encouraged to defer until they receive training, they sometimes prematurely engage, they say...

https://bethesdamagazine.com/bethesda-beat/schools/community-members-question-effectiveness-of-mcps-restorative-justice-practices/

Tonight Join BOE as they Meet with Principals to Discuss Restorative Justice #OpenMeeting #OffCamera

Montgomery County Board of Education and Montgomery County Association of Administrators and Principals Board of Directors 

May 1, 2017 

5:30 to 7:30 p.m. 

30 West Gude Drive, Suite 100, Rockville, Maryland 20850 

AGENDA Purpose: This semiannual meeting of the Board of Education and the Montgomery County Association of Administrators and Principals (MCAAP) is an opportunity for the parties to become better acquainted and to discuss issues of mutual interest. Desired Outcomes By the end of this session, we will have—
• discussed impact of restorative practices and other alternatives to suspension on the culture and climate of schools; and
• reviewed Board of Education’s current vision of collaboration as it relates to the Professional Growth Systems, Operating Budget, and Professional Learning.

http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/uploadedFiles/boe/meetings/agenda/2017/mcaap-agenda-050117.pdf

What How Who Time Dinner and Conversation Share Group 5:30-6:00 Opening Remarks • Welcome & Introductions • Review/approve agenda • Provide context to the meeting Present Mr. Michael Durso President, Montgomery County Board of Education Mr. James Koutsos President, MCAAP 6:00-6:10 Restorative Practices & Alternatives to Suspension Present Discuss MCAAP Leadership Groups 6:10–6:40 Vision for Collaboration Present Discuss MCAAP Leadership Groups 6:40–7:10 Closing Remarks and Meeting Evaluation Present Discuss Mr. Durso and Mr. Koutsos Group 7:10–7:30