Schools

Safe schools allow students to feel connected to the adults in their school and community.  The Daily Rap and Community Conferencing are evidence-based practices that provide students, teachers and administrators with effective ways to prevent and respond to school conflict and violence.  With a focus on communication and accountability, the Daily Rap and Community Conferencing help schools build a sense of connection.

Restorative Approaches to Discipline

What Teachers say about Daily Rap

Community Conferencing

This circle dialogue brings together students and their families, school staff and administrators in response to a conflict or incident.  Everyone collectively decides how to resolve the matter and prevent it from happening again.

During the Community Conference, everyone discusses:

1. what happened
2. how everyone has been affected
3. how to resolve the matter and prevent it from happening again (written agreement).

Uses:

• Alternative to school suspension and arrest
• Student-student / teacher-student and incidents
• Fights/Assaults
• Hate crimes
• Gossiping/Bullying
• Vandalism
• Theft
• Neighborhood conflicts that spill into the school environment

Impact:

• Immediate response to incidents of harm
• Students are held accountable for their harmful behavior
• Students and adults collectively decide how to resolve things
• Reduces suspension and arrests
• Fewer suspended students roaming the neighborhoods during the day
• Prevents re-occurrences and entry into criminal justice system
• Gossiping and bullying get addressed before escalating further
• Students and families are connected to a support network
• Relationships among students, families, and school staff improve
• Everyone has an opportunity to learn and heal from the incident
• Fosters a culture of open communication and responsibility

Daily Rap for students:

Teachers become non-judgmental, non-directive facilitators of a regular dialogue circle with students.  Students have a chance to talk about the issues/incidents that concern them.   Students learn vital communication and problem-solving skills.  Relationships are strengthened within the classroom.   Minor conflicts are prevented from escalating into violence.

Uses:

• Dealing with minor conflicts within the classroom
• Enhancing communication skills
• After School Programs

Impact:

• Better classroom behavior
• Creative problem-solving skills
• Fewer office referrals and suspensions
• Issues get addressed before escalating into serious incidents
• Students and teachers resolve issues
• Students and teachers support each other
• Teachers gain back valuable teaching time
• Improved communication and relationships
• Teachers get to know their students and each other better
• Students respect for each other and staff increases
• Students participate in more school activities & events

Daily Rap for teachers and staff:

Regular dialogue circle that provides teachers and school staff a chance to build communication, share strategies, behavioral techniques and to boost morale.

Uses:

• Peer support
• Peer consultation
• Minor conflicts
• Discussing policies and procedures
• During Staff Meetings
• Professional Development

Impact:

• Accountability
• Building morale
• Team building

 

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