We don’t need no stinking anti-bullying rules; we’ve got restorative justice! Is that what’s happening at SAU 16s Lincoln Street School? Check out the link: Restorative Justice – Lincoln Street School (sau16.org)
If you click on the links in ‘resources,’ something really disturbing happens: the first. link, ‘Watch these restorative justice videos…’ doesn’t bring you to any videos. It brings you to the San Francisco Unified School District.
Yikes. If you click the other link, ‘Visit The Center for Restorative Justice,’ it brings you to Suffolk University. Double Yikes. California and Massachusetts.
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Related: School District Claims Its CRT Programs Not Against the Law Then Hides Them From the Public
So what is restorative justice? According to the Lincoln Street School:
“Restorative Justice is a mindset. Restorative Justice practices are designed to strengthen positive relationships, empowering everyone to be recognized, heard, respected, and valued. Practicing RJ will foster a healthy and joyous school environment where everyone brings forth their best selves.”
Well, now that certainly clears it up. Said nobody ever.
So, what does Lincoln Street School say it will look like?
“Restorative Justice is built on the Circle practice. A Circle is a simple, structured process of communication that helps participants connect with one another. Circles are designed to create a safe space for all voices, equalizing all participants. Students and staff will begin participating in Circles this Fall. Parents and community members will also be asked to join in Circle practice.”
Hmmm…a circle. Seems harmless. But wait: Lincoln Street School, part of the beloved (not) SAU 16, wouldn’t be trying to hide something, would they?
Say it isn’t so!
Let me paraphrase for you: Restorative justice takes the victim, throws them in a circle with the offender and a ‘facilitator’ from the community, everyone talks about their feelz, and they all decide what the (non) punishment for the offender should be. This has worked so well in the criminal justice system – LOL – that they’ve decided to bring it to a school near you. Really near you. As in SAU 16 near you.
Here’s another link: How to use restorative justice in your classroom and school – Monash Education.
How to use restorative justice in your classroom and school – Monash Education
So, according to this link, if little Johnny punches your kid in the face, restorative justice will:
- Use non-blaming restorative questions when discussing any behavior or issue with students.
- What happened, and what were you thinking at the time?
- What have you thought about since?
- Who has been affected by what happened? How do you think they’ve been affected?
- What about this has been the hardest for you?
- What do you think needs to be done to make things as right as possible?
Gee, I never thought about using non-blaming language with the offender (sarc). Maybe that’s why my kids and yours don’t go around punching other kids in the face. Because if my kid did that, my non-blaming restorative sledgehammer would take it out on a victimless X-Box. And that would mean forever.
Yet here we are, full circle, after decades of wasting money and resources on anti-bullying campaigns, and it seems like they’re looking at creative ways to introduce excuses for the offender.
In all fairness, the Lincoln Street School doesn’t say that’s what they intend to do, but they’ve certainly had the opportunity to clarify their position. They can’t even explain, in simplest terms, what they mean by “restorative justice.” And that doesn’t surprise me, given a look at their staff.
Drew Bairstow, Principal of Lincoln Street School and Team Leader of SAU 16 DEIJ, because of white privilege or something. Here’s the link: DEIJ – SAU 16 – Exeter NH
And then there’s Mariam Levy…
Mariam Levy, a teacher at the Lincoln Street School, sits on the “leadership” team of the Racial Unity Team, along with David Ryan, Superintendent of SAU 16, and Tanisha Johnson, co-founder of Seacoast BLM. Here’s your link: Leadership Team (racialunityteam.com)
Mariam Levy also has her own side gig. It’s called ‘Circling Towards Justice,’ and here’s the link to NH Department of State business filing: QuickStart (nh.gov)
According to the filing, the purpose of her business is:
“OTHER / Training, facilitation and consulting on restorative justice.”
Well, now, isn’t that a coincidence. Said nobody ever.
