consideration the feelings and needs of everyone present , without imposing their own biases and opinions . At Piedmont Mediation Center , the facilitators are mediators holding a State certification in District Criminal Court Mediation . When RJP is utilized by I-SS school personnel , they have been trained in RJP by these same mediators . You can be assured of their knowledge and commitment to RJP .
RJPs are a strong learning tool . Students more deeply grasp the lessons as they practice communicating their feelings and problem solving . And , as they repair the harm they caused , or accept the sincere apologies of those that harmed them , everyone involved becomes more connected to their school .
In review , RJP principles always follow the following guidelines :
• Relationships are central to building community
• Focus is on the harm done rather than on rulebreaking
• Giving voice to the person harmed
• Engaging in collaborative problem-solving
• Empowering change and growth and enhancing responsibility
In doing so , students will :
• Participate as responsible members of society
• Gain experience in decision-making
• Interact with others and acquire a sense of belonging
• Reflect on their actions in relation to others
• Evaluate their own value system
• Address what it means to be accountable to others
In future articles , we will hear about ( story 2 ) a re-entry circle to a home school that was held for a youth and his family , after he was at Monticello for 10 days , ( story 3 ) a family group conference that was held for a student who participated in underage drinking , ( story 4 ) a peacemaking circle held in a classroom where the new students were being treated harshly by the rest of the class , and ( story 5 ) the transformation of our teen court to a more restorative mindset .
Comments made by the participants :
• My child needed to face everyone here , and take responsibility for what happened . This will help her mature into a better person .
• I had to listen to my wife cry at night , and question whether she still wanted to be a teacher . After hearing from the kids tonight , she can move forward with her career .
• I ’ m ready to get back to my school . I was worried they wouldn ’ t want me there anymore . I ’ ll do better from now on .
For more information about RJP , visit www . piedmontmediation . com .
6 Iredell-Statesville School & Family