Dave Kisch

1
Welcome!

• Dave Kisch
• Stillwater Area High School Resource Officer
• Mary Leadem Ticiu
• Stillwater Area High School Assistant Principal

2
Introductions

• Why we are here
• Create an understanding of the possibilities of
  partnership
• Share our common interests community school
  are stakeholders in community
• Clarify how RJ circles make a difference in
  school climate and the culture we create

3
Demographics

• 2,250 students 10-12
• Washington County
• Small town feel
• First ring suburb
• 3 APs, 6 counselors, 1 SRO

4
What is a School Resource Officer?

• Officer Kisch, Oak Park Heights Police
  Department, Black Pony Center
• On site investigation and school/community safety
  and security

5
What is an Assistant Principal?

• Serve students and families whose last names fall
  between A-Ha, Hb-O, or P-Z
• Student discipline
• Staff development
• School safety
• Diversity
• MNHSL Fine Arts Liaison/Academic co-curriculars

6
Success in safety depends upon

• Good planning
• Good security
• Swift identification of threats that are real
• Quick response with intervention to prevent
  violence

7
Needed an alternative to formal system

• Joined staff with background as RJ Planner
• YCAPP program for alternatives to suspension
• Teachers who care about 3Rs Relationships,
  Rigor, Relevance
• Community accountability
• School is a place of learning and discipline
  means to learn
• Can always resort to punitive model if RJ fails

8
What is a Circle?

• You can have a circle in a square
• Non hierarchical group and yet be honest of
  intent if you plan to have added consequences
  outside of the group.
• Take off your hat but not your interests
• Level the playing field
• Share power
• Proximity is intentional

9
Who is involved?
Direct participants Those who have the most to
gain from the impact of understanding
perspectives and the resulting agreement/offering.
Voluntary-More honestly voluntary coercion
applies
10
Who can have a Circle?

• Full admission of responsibility
• Willingness to respect process and participants
• Commitment to make a change and restore despite
  the past

11
What kind of offenses?

• Circles are for the most serious level of offense
• They often require a serious time commitment.
• RED TAPE EXERCISE

12
Types of Circles

• Accountability
• Learning
• Healing
• Sentencing
• Other

13
Real life examples

• Harassment of new bus driver
• Possession of weapons
• Homecoming tradition of streaking
• Social skills for Aspergers/Autism spectrum
• Information on website http//www.asperger.org
• Theft from team member

14
Additional examples

• Suspension
• IEP
• Reentry from suspension or alternative placement

15
Truth

• Not everything changes in a circle

16
Learning beyond expected

• What challenges have we seen?
• Repeat issues with girlfriend and boyfriend
  contact
• Ironically, some students experience more power,
  fun, love, belonging in circle and want to
  misbehave to be given opportunity to circle up
  and be heard.
• Hence, we see a need to have circles to celebrate
  success in classrooms and beyond.

17
Do you believe

• All behavior has a purpose.
• Behavior is an attempt to meet an unmet need.
• Our students come to school with the intent to be
  and do their best.
• Conflict is an opportunity to learn.
• Life is not fair.
• Change takes time.

18
Restorative partnership

• Slides for school wide class meetings
• Meet and Greet everywhere you can
• Present at orientation and other school
  activities
• Classroom guidance
• Parent advice for issues of use/theft that may
  not be charged but must be addressed
• Active School wide Safety Committee
• SIT and RTI

19
Schools Discipline Policy Includes Restorative
Measures

• Restorative measures
• Restitution symbolic and financial
• Exit conference with emphasis on PIES or the
  Physical, Intellectual, Emotional,
  Spiritual/Social needs

20
Ask good questions and investigate

• Seek answers
• Listen to all parties
• Expect change
• Coordinate and communicate with family members on
  the first instance

21
Is hazing a problem here?

• Clearly defined policy and immediate consequences
  apply!
• Committing an act against a student, or coercing
  a student into committing an act, that creates a
  substantial risk of harm to a person in order for
  the student to become initiated into a student
  organization.
• SAHS is a student organization, activities,
  clubs, etc.
• Could include physical or emotional components,
  forcing the use of chemicals, or depriving
  individuals of basic needs.

22
But its okay to haze during Homecoming right?

• No, it is never okay to act against the will of
  another.
• Hazing taken seriously
• Notify staff or administration
• Administrators will investigate
• Parents/Police will be contacted
• Discipline policy is followed

23
Can I be suspended for fighting in school?

• Yes, you can
• Investigations
• Criminal charges could be filed
• Seek staff, counselor, administrator for help
  before
• Every student has an obligation to retreat

24
How do I avoid a fight?

• Bring it onin an admin or counselor setting.
• Use circle as a means to an end.
• This is a school and a place for us to provide
  for an education first.
• Conflict creates an opportunity.
• Believe it and model it. I.e. staff have option
  to use circle in lieu of insubordination

25
Suspension Data
26
Thank you!

• Questions
• feel free to contact us
• kischd_at_stillwater.k12.mn.us
• OR
• ticium_at_stillwater.k12.mn.us