CMRS’s schools program strives to support schools in fostering communities where everyone feels a sense of belonging, connection, and respect. We envision a community where schools are able to collaboratively reimagine “the way we’ve always done it” into something that intentionally brings compassion for all; where open-minded and honest conversations are able to take root and grow. Our services focus on increasing school capacity to build community and repair harm. We utilize a variety of restorative practices to support this goal, including talking circles, mediation, and restorative conferences.
CMRS’s roots in this work grow from many cultures and practices– the talking circle of the Yukon people, the peacemaking traditions of the Quaker people, the Palava Hut of West Africa, Maori family group conferencing practices, and the work of the Civil Rights movement. We continue to honor the peacemakers who came before us and continue that work today.
Advantages of Restorative Practices:
Avoiding Criminal Record – Restorative practices are sometimes an alternative to the juvenile justice system.
Healing – Damage is repaired in ways meaningful to victims, rather than simply being punished.
Community Approach – Youth understand the full impact of their actions, and have a chance to be reintegrated into the community after they have completed their work to repair harm.
Learning Opportunity – Youth are more likely to improve future decision-making.
Services We Provide:
Community building classroom circles
Affinity space circles
Conflict coaching for administrators and students
Circle and Conflict training professional development
Family Group conferencing
Administrative behavior referrals
CMRS is currently part of the Youth Intervention Program with the following objectives:
OBJECTIVE 1: Facilitate ongoing restorative community-building circles in schools OBJECTIVE 2: Train and support a diverse team of restorative practitioners OBJECTIVE 3: Embed CMRS Restorative Practitioners in 4 local schools across 2 school districts OBJECTIVE 4: Recruit, train, and support youth circle keepers OBJECTIVE 5: Co-create restorative implementation plans and evaluation tools with school partners Beth Bailey is our current Executive Director and can be reached at [email protected]. Kendrick Walton is our current program manager and can be reached at [email protected].
If you’d like to learn more about any of these services, please feel free to reach out to [email protected] to learn more about our schools team.
“I think it helped my son understand the seriousness of the situation and that it could be resolved. It also gave him resources so hopefully it won't happen again.” – Anonymous
“I had the pleasure of working with CMRS at a middle school for grades 6-8. We performed two complete years together building a foundation for students to empower themselves and those around them with all things restorative. The most impressive aspect of the program was the honesty students gave. As students became more comfortable within the space, and the sharing process, they shared more and more. The conversations became organic and set the tone for students to really look at themselves and the impact they have on others daily. Both years, I heard students talk about how they looked forward to the space that was created by CMRS in cooperation with the students themselves. Heather K., our CMRS representative, was an amazing Circle Keeper. Thank you Heather.” – Todd N.
“I am a teacher in the Hopkins School District, and my school has had the privilege of working with CMRS for the past few years. The staff are extraordinary. Their knowledge and heart fuel their ability to run restorative circles with both adults and students and to expertly facilitate mediations, even when participants have previously engaged in aggressive words and behaviors. They are an invaluable partner, and our school community is stronger because of them.” – Donna P.
CMRS's restorative practices are supported in part by Youth Intervention Program (YIP) and Community Crime and Intervention Program (CCIP) grants. Grants are managed by Kendrick Walton, Director of Restorative Services, [email protected] and Alex Murphy, Finance Manager, [email protected].
