Restorative Justice

Restorative Justice at Sabin School

“Restorative justice empowers students to resolve conflicts on their own and in small groups, and it's a growing practice at schools around the country. Essentially, the idea is to bring students together in peer-mediated small groups to talk, ask questions, and air their grievances. For the growing number of districts using restorative justice, the programs have helped strengthen campus communities, prevent bullying, and reduce student conflicts. And the benefits are clear: early-adopting districts have seen drastic reductions in suspension and expulsion rates, and students say they are happier and feel safer.”

- Matt Davis, “Restorative Justice: Resources for Schools”

Our school and our students face many challenges and opportunities. Central to success is the way our students, teachers, and families resolve conflict and interact on a daily basis. Sabin’s Restorative Justice focus is both a lens and a practical tool that helps create more mindful students, better interactions, and a healthier social climate in the school community.

THE ADVOCATE

Last year, Sabin School's Restorative Justice Coordinator, Amber Boydston, authored and distributed a periodical newsletter called The Advocate for teachers and parents. While that position no longer exists, teachers continue to employ RJ principals while working with students.

VIDEOS

The Atlantic Slave Trader

Slavery has occurred in many forms throughout the world, but the Atlantic slave trade which forcibly brought more than 10 million Africans to the Americas -- stands out for both its global scale and its lasting legacy. Anthony Hazard discusses the historical, economic and personal impact of this massive historical injustice. Lesson by Anthony Hazard, animation by NEIGHBOR.

Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome

As a result of twelve years of quantitative and qualitative research Dr. DeGruy has developed her theory of Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome, and published her findings in the book Post Traumatic Slave Syndrome – America’s Legacy of Enduring Injury and Healing”. The book addresses the residual impacts of generations of slavery and opens up the discussion of how the black community can use the strengths we have gained in the past to heal in the present.

Adverse Childhood Experiences TED Talk

Pediatrician Nadine Burke Harris explains that the repeated stress of abuse, neglect and parents struggling with mental health or substance abuse issues has real, tangible effects on the development of the brain.

BOOKS

Waking up White, Debby Irving
The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness, Michelle Alexander
Tears We Cannot Stop, A Sermon to White America, Michael Eric Dyson
Real America: A Memoir, Julie Lythcott-Haims
So You Want to Talk About Race, Ijeoma Oluo
Birth of an Industry: Blackface Minstrelsy and the Rise of American Animation, Nicholas Sammond
26 Children’s Books to Support Conversations on Race, Racism & Resistance

ARTICLES

White Ally Toolkit: Engaging white folks who are skeptical of racism so they can examine and potentially revisit their views should be the primary task of white allies and not a key task for people of color. But the allies must be smart about how to do this.

How to resolve racially stressful situations by Howard C. Stevenson

"If we hope to heal the racial tensions that threaten to tear the fabric of society apart, we're going to need the skills to openly express ourselves in racially stressful situations. Through racial literacy -- the ability to read, recast and resolve these situations -- psychologist Howard C. Stevenson helps children and parents reduce and manage stress and trauma. In this inspiring, quietly awesome talk, learn more about how this approach to decoding racial threat can help youth build confidence and stand up for themselves in productive ways.”

Get comfortable with being uncomfortable by Luvvie Ajayi

“Creator Luvvie Ajayi isn't afraid to speak her mind or to be the one dissenting voice in a crowd, and neither should you. "Your silence serves no one," says the writer, activist and self-proclaimed professional troublemaker. In this bright, uplifting talk, Ajayi shares three questions to ask yourself if you're teetering on the edge of speaking up or quieting down -- and encourages all of us to get a little more comfortable with being uncomfortable.”

Half-century of US civil rights gains have stalled or reversed, report finds

“The report says the percentage of American children living in poverty increased from 15.6% in 1968 to 21% in 2017. The percentage of people living in deep or extreme poverty – defined as less than half the poverty threshold – has also gone up since 1975.”

‘White Privilege Permeates Education’: Q&A With Anti-Racist White Educator

Terry Jess is a social studies teacher at Bellevue High School in Washington State. He’s also an equity leader within his school and district, and a founder and board member of Educators for Justice, a non-profit organization that works with teachers and education support professionals to create safe and supportive educational experiences for all students. He considers himself an anti-racist white educator, who’s determined to spread the message of social justice, equity, and racial justice in white spaces.

Teachers' implicit bias against black students starts in preschool, study finds

RACE - The Power of an Illusion (About the PBS Series)

'I am protecting them from whiteness': Why this mom chose to take her kids out of public school by Akilah Richards

White People Are Cowards by Michael Harriot

“At least once a week, I will receive an email from a well-meaning white person who wants to know what they can do to fight injustice and inequality. The answer to that is simple. Whenever and wherever you spot racism or inequality, say something. Do something.

Every. Single. Time.”