Latest publication

We are happy to announce the publication of our latest peer-reviewed journal article in the respected Equity & Excellence in Education journal. This article focused on our work over the past three years in an urban high school in the Denver metropolitan area.

As I understand, the first 50 people who click on this link will be able to obtain a free download of the article.

http://www.tandfonline.com/eprint/zTArd9mThdgX6zbJGYYE/full

Tax Exempt Status Received

Word was received that the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has granted 501(c)(3) status to Restorative Justice Education. As a result contributions to this non-profit organization are tax exempt, and tax exempt bequests can be received. Also the corporation was declared to be a public charity. We are grateful for this designation.



Invitation to Webinar

Please find the official invitation to the webinar where I will be presenting at this link:


http://eepurl.com/1wlan

Dr Cavanagh presenting at Vera institute webinar

Dr Tom Cavanagh invites you to attend the following online training session as a participant. Dr Cavanagh is one of the presenters at this webinar.

Topic: Using Restorative Practices in Response to Status Offense Behaviors 

Host: Insiyah Mohammad 

Date: Wednesday, August 27, 2014 

Time: 2:30 pm, Eastern Daylight Time (New York, GMT-04:00) 

Registration ID: 665942 

Session number: 643 854 432 

Session password: This session does not require a password. 

------------------------------------------------------- 

To join the training session 

------------------------------------------------------- 

1. Go to https://mfcresourcecenters.webex.com/mfcresourcecenters/k2/j.php?MTID=t2ccd4eea86680d4848722eefdb27e4de 

2. Enter your name and email address (or registration ID). 

3. Enter the session password: This session does not require a password. 

4. Click "Join Now". 

5. Follow the instructions that appear on your screen. 

To view in other time zones or languages, please click the link 

https://mfcresourcecenters.webex.com/mfcresourcecenters/k2/j.php?MTID=tcc935b083be260dcce60ddf46bf959a0 

------------------------------------------------------- 

To join the session by phone only 

------------------------------------------------------- 

To receive a call back, provide your phone number when you join the training session, or call the number below and enter the access code. 

US TOLL FREE:+1-855-749-4750 

US TOLL:+1-415-655-0001 

Global call-in numbers: https://mfcresourcecenters.webex.com/mfcresourcecenters/globalcallin.php?serviceType=TC&ED=293116867&tollFree=1 

Show toll-free dialing restrictions: http://www.webex.com/pdf/tollfree_restrictions.pdf 

Access code: 643 854 432 

------------------------------------------------------- 

For assistance 

------------------------------------------------------- 

You can contact Insiyah Mohammad at: 

imohammad@vera.org 

To add this session to your calendar program (for example Microsoft Outlook), click this link: 

https://mfcresourcecenters.webex.com/mfcresourcecenters/k2/j.php?MTID=t04343c6b21c4393bf5226f7c2619e6f8 

Fellowship Received

Yesterday I learned from Professor Angus Macfarlane that I have been awarded the Visiting Maori and Indigenous Studies Fellowship at the University of Canterbury in Christchurch, New Zealand. The fellowship allows for me to be at the university from February through the end of April of next year.

Healing Circle

Please listen to this podcast from PBS about a healing circle.


https://www.dropbox.com/s/dcqvf0qgv39g77j/20140514_me_more_school_districts_rethink_zero-tolerance_policies.mp3

Latest Research from Department of Education

Please see this article for the latest research from the Department of Education. These results support the work we are doing.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/rh2cccgo8jjo1is/US%20DOE%20CRDC%20discipline-snapshot%2003.22.2014%20copy.pdf

Brothers Keepers Program

President Obama announced the “My Brother’s Keeper” Initiative 
(http://publicinterestprojects.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=
d31c72317ed7ed2db9d8e6924&id=ef78f299cc&e=0f757ad99d) , 
a public-private effort to support America’s boys and young men 
of color.  In his remarks, the President spoke passionately about 
the effectiveness of positive alternatives to zero tolerance that 
keep all youth learning in school, reducing the chances boys of 
colors face for suspensions, expulsions, and ending up in the 
criminal justice system. 

RJ work at Hinkley High School featured in PBS Newhour

The Restorative Justice work we have done at Hinkley High School in Aurora, Colorado, was featured last night on the PBS Newshour. Here is the link:

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/new-approach-discipline-school/

Relationships

In the Culture of Care the importance of relationships is emphasized. This video captures that theme well.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdLz4jJ47i4#t=55

Civil Rights of Children in school

In this editorial The New York Times discusses the civil rights of children in school.
http://publicinterestprojects.us2.list-manage2.com/track/click?u=d31c72317ed7ed2db9d8e6924&id=e4e30f360e&e=0f757ad99d

Culture of Care and new federal school discipline guidelines

New Federal School Discipline Guidelines

On Wednesday of this week new federal school discipline guidelines were released. These guidelines support the work of a Culture of Care in schools. In particular, the guidelines recognize the need to change the culture of schools so that not only are students cared for in terms of their learning but also they are cared for as individuals, and in the case of ethnically diverse students, as culturally located individuals.
In addition, these guidelines recognize the importance of the other two foundational concepts that the Culture of Care is based on. Restorative justice and restorative practices are endorsed as offering alternative discipline responses to wrongdoing and conflict in the classroom. In addition, recognition is given to the importance of building the capacity of students and teachers to respond to problems nonviolently. Also the importance of creating a culturally responsive pedagogy of relationships is recognized in these guidelines.
Congratulations to those schools who have adopted the Culture of Care. It appears that these schools are already in compliance with the new policies. These schools serve as models of best practices to other schools.
Thanks to Research Assistant Karla Garcia for providing this link to a number of resources related to the announcement of these new guidlines.
http://colorlines.com/archives/2014/01/federal_school_discipline_guidelines_heres_how_to_stop_racial_discrimination_in_the_classroom.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter
Please contact me if you have any questions or concerns regarding these guidelines.

With best regards
Dr Tom Cavanagh