Restorative Justice is struggling to show success in MCPS according to students, parents

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It doesn't seem to be going any better at FCPS. My child's elementary school really pushed for it for a bullying situation in lieu of actually doing anything. The RJ mediator met with the students and opted not to go forward with the process. So, the thing that the school was relying on isn't going to happen.

Naive parents got tricked into this nonsense.

There is a bullying incident in my child's classroom a week ago where they used RJ and it worked beautifully. The problem was completely resolved.

Per MCPS's own report, it's not working "beautifully". It's an abysmal failure.

Well, at our school, RJ helped put an end to my kid being bullied so I have to disagree. It works great.

Can you elaborate? How did it work?

Right. And what did RJ provide in this process and resolution that traditional discipline wouldn't have?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It doesn't seem to be going any better at FCPS. My child's elementary school really pushed for it for a bullying situation in lieu of actually doing anything. The RJ mediator met with the students and opted not to go forward with the process. So, the thing that the school was relying on isn't going to happen.

Naive parents got tricked into this nonsense.

There is a bullying incident in my child's classroom a week ago where they used RJ and it worked beautifully. The problem was completely resolved.

Per MCPS's own report, it's not working "beautifully". It's an abysmal failure.

Well, at our school, RJ helped put an end to my kid being bullied so I have to disagree. It works great.

Anecdotal evidence <> statistical facts

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It doesn't seem to be going any better at FCPS. My child's elementary school really pushed for it for a bullying situation in lieu of actually doing anything. The RJ mediator met with the students and opted not to go forward with the process. So, the thing that the school was relying on isn't going to happen.

Naive parents got tricked into this nonsense.

There is a bullying incident in my child's classroom a week ago where they used RJ and it worked beautifully. The problem was completely resolved.

Per MCPS's own report, it's not working "beautifully". It's an abysmal failure.

Well, at our school, RJ helped put an end to my kid being bullied so I have to disagree. It works great.

Can you elaborate? How did it work?

A classmate was punching and pushing my kid down at recess daily. The teacher used RJ and got the kids together in a circle to talk. Afterward, the bully ceased bullying. Despite the many complaints here at least where my kid was concerned it seemed like a great resolution.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It doesn't seem to be going any better at FCPS. My child's elementary school really pushed for it for a bullying situation in lieu of actually doing anything. The RJ mediator met with the students and opted not to go forward with the process. So, the thing that the school was relying on isn't going to happen.

Naive parents got tricked into this nonsense.

There is a bullying incident in my child's classroom a week ago where they used RJ and it worked beautifully. The problem was completely resolved.

Per MCPS's own report, it's not working "beautifully". It's an abysmal failure.

Anecdotal evidence <> statistical facts RJ works!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Our MCPS school is losing a 4th grade teacher tomorrow (kids/parents will not find out until tomorrow afternoon so that she does not have to deal with the complaints). 100% because of the no consequences in elementary school rules. This is due to the BOE.

Her mental health and physical safety are of course most important. But the reality is that her departure impacts our entire school and takes away even more support from the remaining teachers.

Kids should not be allowed to fight and threaten students and teachers with no consequences!

This is a tragedy. Why are the admins ok with this? Why aren't the admins protesting as much as the teachers are?

Administrators are obviously orchestrating the mayhem, as they sit insulated far away from the violence.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It doesn't seem to be going any better at FCPS. My child's elementary school really pushed for it for a bullying situation in lieu of actually doing anything. The RJ mediator met with the students and opted not to go forward with the process. So, the thing that the school was relying on isn't going to happen.

Naive parents got tricked into this nonsense.

There is a bullying incident in my child's classroom a week ago where they used RJ and it worked beautifully. The problem was completely resolved.

Per MCPS's own report, it's not working "beautifully". It's an abysmal failure.

Well, at our school, RJ helped put an end to my kid being bullied so I have to disagree. It works great.

What a great anecdote. RJ works. No further studies or reports needed. Let’s see how long the bully is kept in check, though…

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It doesn't seem to be going any better at FCPS. My child's elementary school really pushed for it for a bullying situation in lieu of actually doing anything. The RJ mediator met with the students and opted not to go forward with the process. So, the thing that the school was relying on isn't going to happen.

Naive parents got tricked into this nonsense.

There is a bullying incident in my child's classroom a week ago where they used RJ and it worked beautifully. The problem was completely resolved.

Per MCPS's own report, it's not working "beautifully". It's an abysmal failure.

Well, at our school, RJ helped put an end to my kid being bullied so I have to disagree. It works great.

If this is true, name the school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It doesn't seem to be going any better at FCPS. My child's elementary school really pushed for it for a bullying situation in lieu of actually doing anything. The RJ mediator met with the students and opted not to go forward with the process. So, the thing that the school was relying on isn't going to happen.

Naive parents got tricked into this nonsense.

There is a bullying incident in my child's classroom a week ago where they used RJ and it worked beautifully. The problem was completely resolved.

Per MCPS's own report, it's not working "beautifully". It's an abysmal failure.

Well, at our school, RJ helped put an end to my kid being bullied so I have to disagree. It works great.

Can you elaborate? How did it work?

A classmate was punching and pushing my kid down at recess daily. The teacher used RJ and got the kids together in a circle to talk. Afterward, the bully ceased bullying. Despite the many complaints here at least where my kid was concerned it seemed like a great resolution.

As I suspected, this was an elementary school issue. RJ seems most appropriate for many elementary school-level conflicts like this. Where RJ falls about is in the secondary schools where the conflicts can be more fraught with danger and harm beyond hurt feelings.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It doesn't seem to be going any better at FCPS. My child's elementary school really pushed for it for a bullying situation in lieu of actually doing anything. The RJ mediator met with the students and opted not to go forward with the process. So, the thing that the school was relying on isn't going to happen.

Naive parents got tricked into this nonsense.

There is a bullying incident in my child's classroom a week ago where they used RJ and it worked beautifully. The problem was completely resolved.

Per MCPS's own report, it's not working "beautifully". It's an abysmal failure.

Well, at our school, RJ helped put an end to my kid being bullied so I have to disagree. It works great.

If this is true, name the school.

Sure, Burning Tree.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It doesn't seem to be going any better at FCPS. My child's elementary school really pushed for it for a bullying situation in lieu of actually doing anything. The RJ mediator met with the students and opted not to go forward with the process. So, the thing that the school was relying on isn't going to happen.

Naive parents got tricked into this nonsense.

There is a bullying incident in my child's classroom a week ago where they used RJ and it worked beautifully. The problem was completely resolved.

Per MCPS's own report, it's not working "beautifully". It's an abysmal failure.

Well, at our school, RJ helped put an end to my kid being bullied so I have to disagree. It works great.

Can you elaborate? How did it work?

A classmate was punching and pushing my kid down at recess daily. The teacher used RJ and got the kids together in a circle to talk. Afterward, the bully ceased bullying. Despite the many complaints here at least where my kid was concerned it seemed like a great resolution.

As I suspected, this was an elementary school issue. RJ seems most appropriate for many elementary school-level conflicts like this. Where RJ falls about is in the secondary schools where the conflicts can be more fraught with danger and harm beyond hurt feelings.

It's great to just say it only works for ES, but these anecdotal claims are wearing thin.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NP here. I was kicked and hit by a second grade student in my class today. The student never even went to the office. I was told by admin that this might be a good opportunity to try a restorative circle with the student and counselor tomorrow. This will allow me to hear about the harm I brought on to her (for asking her to stop hitting another student) and she can hear about the harm she caused me. The goal being to repair harm in our classroom community. Guess when I get to engage in this hippie circle? You bet, my 30min. lunch. Can't wait....

I just can't. How can MCPS leadership drink this Kool-Aid and expect other sane adults to follow suit?

What an absolute joke. All that second grader is going to learn is that there are no consequences.

Really? You're saying that schools are these magical zones where our laws aren't enforced? Why is MCPD not doing their job? If laws are being broken, there are consequences that are dispensed by the courts. MCPS on the other hand is not the judiciary. Their job is to educate kids. If you want to be mad at someone, please look to MCPD who is clearly at fault.

Yes, assault is assault even when it's perpetrated by a minor. This is a matter for the courts to work out.

Unfortunately, the MD legislature changed how juveniles are prosecuted last year. Minors under 13 won't be charged with crimes by the DA. Not that I am advocating for minors to be incarcerated, but consequences still need to happen. It's a natural way for humans to learn. Nothing wrong with an appropriate consequence. I'm worried about the future implications of this if it is not monitored very closely.

https://www.wmar2news.com/maryland-legislature-looking-at-juvenile-justice-reform-in-the-upcoming-session

https://www.wbaltv.com/article/maryland-juvenile-justice-reform-law-impact/42679696#:~:text=The%20sweeping%20legislation%20that%20took,prohibits%20detention%20for%20misdemeanor%20cases.

This is absolutely outrageous. Who is paying them for this?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NP here. I was kicked and hit by a second grade student in my class today. The student never even went to the office. I was told by admin that this might be a good opportunity to try a restorative circle with the student and counselor tomorrow. This will allow me to hear about the harm I brought on to her (for asking her to stop hitting another student) and she can hear about the harm she caused me. The goal being to repair harm in our classroom community. Guess when I get to engage in this hippie circle? You bet, my 30min. lunch. Can't wait....

I just can't. How can MCPS leadership drink this Kool-Aid and expect other sane adults to follow suit?

What an absolute joke. All that second grader is going to learn is that there are no consequences.

Really? You're saying that schools are these magical zones where our laws aren't enforced? Why is MCPD not doing their job? If laws are being broken, there are consequences that are dispensed by the courts. MCPS on the other hand is not the judiciary. Their job is to educate kids. If you want to be mad at someone, please look to MCPD who is clearly at fault.

Yes, assault is assault even when it's perpetrated by a minor. This is a matter for the courts to work out.

Unfortunately, the MD legislature changed how juveniles are prosecuted last year. Minors under 13 won't be charged with crimes by the DA. Not that I am advocating for minors to be incarcerated, but consequences still need to happen. It's a natural way for humans to learn. Nothing wrong with an appropriate consequence. I'm worried about the future implications of this if it is not monitored very closely.

https://www.wmar2news.com/maryland-legislature-looking-at-juvenile-justice-reform-in-the-upcoming-session

https://www.wbaltv.com/article/maryland-juvenile-justice-reform-law-impact/42679696#:~:text=The%20sweeping%20legislation%20that%20took,prohibits%20detention%20for%20misdemeanor%20cases.

This is absolutely outrageous. Who is paying them for this?

We need to bring back corporal punishment or the stock and pillory. That would learn em!

[Anonymous]

Always follow the money.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:NP here. I was kicked and hit by a second grade student in my class today. The student never even went to the office. I was told by admin that this might be a good opportunity to try a restorative circle with the student and counselor tomorrow. This will allow me to hear about the harm I brought on to her (for asking her to stop hitting another student) and she can hear about the harm she caused me. The goal being to repair harm in our classroom community. Guess when I get to engage in this hippie circle? You bet, my 30min. lunch. Can't wait....

I just can't. How can MCPS leadership drink this Kool-Aid and expect other sane adults to follow suit?

What an absolute joke. All that second grader is going to learn is that there are no consequences.

Really? You're saying that schools are these magical zones where our laws aren't enforced? Why is MCPD not doing their job? If laws are being broken, there are consequences that are dispensed by the courts. MCPS on the other hand is not the judiciary. Their job is to educate kids. If you want to be mad at someone, please look to MCPD who is clearly at fault.

You're a fool. Progressives made sure that cops were pushed out of school. The only way they can get involved in an incident that occurs on school grounds is if the admin calls the cops.

Principals wanted SROs. It was the Progressives like Elrich, and probably you, who doesn't deal with the drug use and violence in our schools, who kicked the cops out of the schools such that they cannot do as you claim they should.

Blame the Elrich and the Progressives, probably you who also support "defund the police".

This is complete nonsense. Eliminating the ineffective SRO jobs does not push cops out of schools. Their jurisdiction is Montgomery county and they're responsible for enforcing laws here PERIOD. This hasn't changed.

I think what he's saying is the cops are angry the politicians eliminated the cushy SRO jobs so they've purposely let schools turn into the wild west out of spite.

So MCPD is refusing to enforce our laws and putting our children at risk?

No. MCPS and the BOE nad the County Council have kicked police out of schools. MCPS has instructed admin NOT to involve MCPD and to handle incidents 'internally'.

Citation? I'm pretty sure they don't have the authority to do that.

of course they do. A fight or a teen taking drugs is not something that MCPS will call the cops for. They will only call the cops for something egregious like bringing a weapon to school.

So you're claiming that MCPS officials are covering up felonies?

Is fighting a felony? Minors taking drugs a felony?

Assault and possession of a controlled substance are both felonies

EXACTLY. The cover-up is MASSIVE.

so, if two kids are fighting in a public area, let's say a park, will the cops arrest them, and will the be a felony? Or will the cops call their parents and tell them to sort it out?

IMO, it only becomes a felony if the injury is so great that they need hospitalization. I don't think a fist fight will lead to felony charges for kids.

Fortunately, courts don't base this on your opinion and assault is a felony regardless of what you think the criteria is...

Exactly. Schools are shielding violent juveniles from any consequences. At least make a parent come get their child.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It doesn't seem to be going any better at FCPS. My child's elementary school really pushed for it for a bullying situation in lieu of actually doing anything. The RJ mediator met with the students and opted not to go forward with the process. So, the thing that the school was relying on isn't going to happen.

Naive parents got tricked into this nonsense.

There is a bullying incident in my child's classroom a week ago where they used RJ and it worked beautifully. The problem was completely resolved.

Per MCPS's own report, it's not working "beautifully". It's an abysmal failure.

Well, at our school, RJ helped put an end to my kid being bullied so I have to disagree. It works great.

If this is true, name the school.

I'm glad for the PPs who had a good experience with RJ. I'm the FCPS poster (also an elementary school issue) and my main problem is that school admin is relying on it to solve all the problems but then the RJ mediator doesn't go through with it (perhaps for valid reasons) and nothing happens. The school is hiding behind this process, which is a problem.