OPTIONS

Description:

• A restorative justice approach to dealing with youth in conflict.
• Traditional Circles can establish a connection beteen students, their school and community.
• The Prince George School District has one of the highest percentages of aboriginal student populations in British Columbia.

Objective:

• Options is a partnership between School District 57 and PGUAJS to offer Aboriginal students an alternative approach to behavior problems and conflicts that affect them at school.
• To use traditional methods, such as Circles, to provide early intervention with problems faced by Aboriginal students.
• To quickly deal with behavior to assist youth to understand the effects of their actions.

Goals:

• Increase the number of Aboriginal students completing high school.
• Improve the self-esteem of Aboriginal students by demonstrating that Aboriginal culture and traditions work in modern society.
• Work cooperatively with staff, students, families and community members to implement Restorative Justice.
• Focus on empowering Aboriginal students to become successful adults.
• Enhance community awareness and involvement by forming community-based partnerships.

Program Steps:

Options primary focus is the 4 R's:

1. Responsibility - of harm done by the event, for the process to proceed the person accepts responsibility for their actions.
2. Recognition - develop an understanding of how others are affected by the action.
3. Repair - work to make things right.
4. Restoration - to restore balance and harmony of community, family, friends, self and others.

A Circle consists of community members, student, family, advocate, possible victim and facilitator. These people gather in a Circle and talk about the event. Each Circle is unique and is a very spiritual and emotional process.

Each person participates and speaks, one at a time, usually while a symbolic object is passed around. The person holding the object may speak or ask questions. Once everyone has had a say, it is discussed what to do to restore balance. Contents of Circles are confidential. The purpose is to restore and repair community and persons involved.

Program Criteria:

• Of Aboriginal heritage or self identified.
• Students and their advocates must choose to participate in this program.

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