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
School 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08
         
SAHS        
Suspensions 212 116 87 25
YCAPP 62 79 90 45
         
SJHS        
Suspensions   19 30 18
YCAPP 133 122 87 34
         
OJHS        
Suspensions   62 41 23
YCAPP 86 61 31 12
26
Thank you!

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