RESTORATIVE PRACTICES THAT WORK

Harriet R. MacLean, Ed.D. is the principal of Davidson Middle School in San Rafael. She presented some of her strategies at a Call to Action Meeting for San Mateo County educational professionals. Among the many restorative practices her school has implemented are a “Where Everyone Belongs” (WEB) program and a “No One Eats Alone” lunch policy.

WEB is a middle school orientation and transition program that welcomes incoming students feel comfortable throughout the first year of their middle school experience. It helps increase student achievement, enhances character development and creates an anti-bullying environment. “I would say the leadership development it engenders in the upper graders who become WEB leaders is an unintended benefit from a program that provides support, guidance, and a welcoming hand to incoming sixth grade students, so everyone involved benefits,” Dr. MacLean said.

“No One Eats Alone” is a campaign to prevent social isolation at school. Like WEB, a cadre of students are trained as team leaders. These student leaders monitor the lunch hour making sure students are not being isolated. Excluding someone is a type of bullying and studies have shown that this type of isolation has a significant impact on kids way beyond the lunch room. Dr. MacLean sees another benefit “I think it is important to note that it has brought social isolation into the lexicon.”

By implementing various positive behavior supports Davidson Middle School has dramatically decreased the number of suspension while conversely increasing their Academic Performance.

National, state, and local data on suspensions and expulsions show that out-of-school suspension is used frequently for managing student discipline and is applied disproportionately with students in particular subgroup populations, including race, gender and disability status. Out-of-school suspensions are often associated with low achievement, increased risk for dropping out and a greater likelihood of juvenile justice involvement.

By providing proven and promising alternatives to out-of-school suspensions, school climate become more positive, bullying behavior is reduced and students do better academically – certainly proof to start implementing these strategies at schools throughout our County and Country.

Contact Margaret Lavin at elementarydays@gmail.com.