I have been a Restorative Justice Culture Guide at Kaposia Elementary in South St. Paul for 6 years. I only work 3 hours per day during the lunch and recess time. Administration, teachers, and playground supervisors send children to the Restorative Room who are upset, angry or sad.
We sit and talk about what is bothering them, sometimes inviting another student to come and share in the conversation. We talk about the problem and the students work to solve it. Guiding students toward apology and forgiveness, while working toward a more peaceful student environment.
A potentially at-risk student was really off the wall. She came in for lunch. I said you are different than last year what happened? She told me her sister had suddenly died in their home. The school got help for her and I get a hug whenever I see her.
We have dealt with stealing, fighting, threats, self injury and simple quarrels like, "He said my rock is not a rock." Write-ups at the school were at 800 when I started and are down to 250 in a school of 850 students. I would like to see Restorative Justice Culture Guides in other schools.