By David Yusem
Program Manager, Restorative Justice
Oakland Unified School District
Harmed people harm people. That is a phrase we use a lot in restorative justice.
Traditionally in our schools we have used punishment as a way to distance ourselves from unwanted behavior. I am not aware of any studies proving that suspending for misbehavior increases attendance, achievement, or graduation rates for the rest of the student population.
Blog
April 23, 2014 - 11:43am
Working with Watchung Regional High School is always inspiring. The connection between Not In Our School and Jamie Lott-Jones and her colleague Mary Sok began with the production of a film about their school’s efforts to address cyberbullying. The partnership did not stop there. Not In Our School has been hosted at the school, met with two superintendents, and has featured Watchung’s efforts many times on NIOT.org.
April 18, 2014 - 6:29pm
This story from our public television partner KCPT covers the interfaith vigil on April 17 in response to the Overland Park killings in Kansas City. Check here for more video updates.
by Patrice O'Neill, Executive Producer of Not In Our Town
Three people were shot to death on Sunday, April 13 by a known white supremacist who targeted the Jewish Community Center and a Jewish Retirement home in Overland Park, KS, just outside Kansas City, MO. Federal and local law enforcement officers have officially called the attack a hate crime.
Our hearts go out to the families of Reat Griffin Underwood, Dr. William Lewis Corporon, Terri LaManno and to members of the Jewish community in the Kansas City area and across the country.
April 18, 2014 - 11:16am
Girl Scouts Promote Anti-bullying Message
A group of 5th-grade girls are ready to change the world.
Members of Junior Girl Scout Troop 20384 are sending the message ‘Be a Buddy, Not a Bully,’ by working on a Bronze Award project as part of their effort to stop bullying.
The troop shared their anti-bullying message using a PowerPoint presentation, a coloring page, and word searches at a National Day of Service event held at a local high school, according to The Alternative Press. These resources will be used in a local elementary school’s anti-bullying curriculum.
April 17, 2014 - 9:01am
Students from high schools across Overland Park, KS wore white in honor of Reat Underwood
by Becki Cohn-Vargas, Not In Our School Director
A day after she lost her son and father to a senseless act of hate in Overland Park, Kansas, Mindy Underwood came forward in a show of great courage.
“Because there is such an outpouring, we did not want to hide, and not let people grieve with us,” she said.