ADVISORY: Educators Seeking Alternatives to Suspension and Expulsion to Receive Restorative Practices in Schools Training June 20

Minnesota Department of Education

MEDIA ADVISORY: Friday, June 17, 2016
CONTACT: Josh Collins, josh.collins@state.mn.us, 651-582-8205

Educators Seeking Alternatives to Suspension and Expulsion to Receive Restorative Practices in Schools Training June 20

ROSEVILLE – Educators who recognize that suspension and expulsion affects minorities disproportionately and fails to improve student behavior or the learning environment are turning to an alternative that has shown to increase the safety and academic performance of schools.

On Monday, June 20, Education Commissioner Brenda Cassellius will welcome 150 educators, school administrators, parents, school support staff and representatives from community organizations to a training session on that alternative, called Restorative Practices. Media are welcome to attend the Restorative Practices in Schools Training on Monday, June 20, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Cooper High School, 8230 47th Ave. N., New Hope, Minn. The Minnesota Department of Education School Safety Technical Assistance Center, in partnership with Robbinsdale Area Schools and the Legal Rights Center, is sponsoring the training.

Restorative Practices is an approach that focuses on building relationships and creating community in school to prevent harm, to repair harm and address the needs all people impacted by the harm.

“It shifts away from punishment to social engagement, repair of harm and community building with each other,” says Nancy Riestenberg, a leading national expert in Restorative Practices in the Minnesota Department of Education’s School Safety Technical Assistance Center.

Monday’s session, Restorative Practices Foundations, is the first of several trainings being held from Tuesday, June 21, to Friday, June 24. View a list of training sessions on the MDE Calendar.

What: Restorative Practices in Schools Training – Restorative Practices Foundations
Who: The Minnesota Department of Education School Safety Technical Assistance Center and the Legal Rights Center
When: Monday, June 20, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
Education Commissioner Brenda Cassellius will welcome participants at 8:30 a.m.
Where: Cooper High School, 8230 47th Ave. N., New Hope, Minn.

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