Dignity in schools: an unexcused absence

….The July 2009 press conference started out with a tour of the “school
of our dreams” in which metal detectors are replaced with mood
detectors (people). There is a “chill-out zone.” (“If teachers get
lounges, we should too.”) Sounds of running water, trees and flowers
soothe frayed nerves. Peer leaders (“our friends”) assist in a
resolution circle to help resolve conflict where everyone can share
their side of the story, discuss what happened, why it happened, and
what everyone would like to see happen to resolve the problem. This
fosters understanding, shared accountability, and allows negative
emotions to shift into something better, dramatically decreasing
out-of-school suspensions.

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