By Jameson Cook
The Macomb Daily
MOUNT CLEMENS (AP) — Expelling or suspending a student who fights or steals from another student may eliminate a headache for a school, but the problem doesn’t go away. It often gets worse.
That’s why the Resolution Center in Mount Clemens and some Macomb County schools have started a conflict-resolution program called “restorative justice,” which keeps the offending student in school and tries to provide relief for the harmed student.
The process involves a “restorative conference,” or “peace circle,” in which an adult mediator from the Center gathers everyone involved — administrators, parents, possibly a teacher or coach — to discuss the matter.
“It’s getting everyone in the same room and see what needs to be done to make things better,” said Resolution Center Director Craig Pappas. “It empowers the student to have a connection in a mature and positive way with the person they’re having the conflict with. They reach a point of agreement and a mutual understanding for going forward.”
The goal is to solve the issue and keep an offending student on a path to graduation instead of steering him or her down a path of potential trouble and dropping out, he said.
“Sometimes you create more problems for everyone involved by suspending or expelling the student,” he said, by sending them home, sometimes alone.
For being “a trailblazer in Macomb County” with the program, Warren Consolidated Schools will be recognized this evening at the Resolution Center’s 19th annual “Evening at the Movies” at the MJR Marketplace Theater in Sterling Heights.
Superintendent Dr. Robert Livernois and Dean of Students Wyman Lare will accept the Conflict Resolution Advocacy Award for WCS’ for its restorative justice program.
The district funds a part-time Resolution Center mediator goes to the district’s more than 20 schools.
“We’ve made a concerted effort to help families resolve conflicts because they often start outside of school but often spill into school,” Livernois said. “One of the areas we’re finding this happening more and more is through social web sites like Facebook and Twitter. We’re having conflict resolution for families involved in the conflict, not just the student. We’re finding in many, many cases it’s helping resolve things peacefully and more importantly in a way that is lasting.”
Through state and federal grants, the Resolution Center provides the program at East Detroit, Fitzgerald, Lincoln and New Haven high schools, and soon will start one at Clintondale,
Pappas said. Money raised from Evening at the Movies will go toward starting restorative justice programs in other schools, Pappas said. Restorative justice is in addition to youth mentor programs the RC sponsors at some schools.
The Center last year handled about 1,100 mediations, including restorative justice cases, settling 63 percent of them, Pappas said. Many mediations come from district and circuit courts in Macomb and St. Clair counties. The Center has about 120 volunteer mediators, and two full-time and four part-time staffers.
Two mediators will be honored with the Lawrence W. Beckett Volunteer of the Year Awards — Thomas Christ of Macomb Township and James Gillespie of Sterling Heights.
Evening at the Movies provides a movie ticket, popcorn and soft drink, as well as preshow cuisine.
New this year is raffles with prizes including a Detroit Red Wings suite, golf and spa packages, and a “bucket of cheer,” among others. There will be a 50-50 raffle.
Macomb County Sheriff Anthony Wickersham will be the honorary chairperson, and Roop Raj from WJBK-TV (Channel 2) will serve as emcee.
Tickets are $40 or $160 for five. For details, call 586.469.4714 or visit www.theresolutioncenter.com.
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