Peace facilitator John Blackcloud (center) with sixth grader Jay Richmond (left) and seventh grader Akirah (cq) Johnson at Roosevelt Creative Corridor Business Academy in northwest Cedar Rapids on Wednesday. Blackcloud uses restorative practices to resolve conflicts in a peace circle meeting between disputing students. (Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette)
Every day Kids First's peace facilitators help students resolve conflicts. Students learn how to regulate their emotions, avoid fights, and get back to learning quickly. The Gazette recently featured the program. Read an excerpt below:
"Matthew Jenkins, Wilson Middle School assistant principal, said circles between students and staff give everyone the chance to 'listen without judgment, be curious and have a thoughtful resolution.'
Jenkins said students are reaching out to their peace facilitator more often as a proactive way to resolve conflict. The number of students being suspended from school has decreased, which Jenkins said he directly attributes to the circles, describing them as a 'solution' to conflict.
'It’s a skill we’re trying to teach,' Jenkins said. 'Do circles always work? Not all the time, but exposure to the process has helped a lot of our students.'
Justin Blietz, principal at Roosevelt Creative Corridor Business Academy, said students are learning how to communicate effectively and problem solve. 'This program really supports those skills and gives students the space and opportunity to learn how to communicate in ways that can help get their needs met and problem solve together,' he said.
Roosevelt’s peace facilitator, John Blackcloud, is an 'unbiased party' in conflicts, Blietz said. Peace facilitators are 'there to listen and not take sides, not say whose right or wrong, but to create a space and opportunity to facilitate dialogue and help you problem solve together,' he said."
Read The Gazette's entire article here.