By: Mark Freado
Anyone who has tried to transform a team, a program or a school knows how daunting that task can be. Transforming an entire school system brings to mind the question: How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time! Regina Public Schools, in Regina Saskatchewan, Canada, has enjoyed a more than decade long relationship with Reclaiming Youth International. Embracing the Circle of Courage, which is the philosophical foundation of our work, they also brought the strength-based practices of Response Ability Pathways (RAP) and Life Space Crisis Intervention (LSCI) to their community. In the work they have done already they have had several bites of the elephant. Now they are poised for more.
Their overall goal is to transform their entire school system to a more reclaiming culture, complete with overall philosophy of the Circle of Courage, as well as the strength-based practices already noted and including a restorative justice component. In early November a team of seven staff from throughout the school system, led by Superintendent, Greg Enion, came to Sioux Falls for a consultation meeting with Steve Van Bockern and Mark Freado, president and vice president of Reclaiming Youth International.
The two-day consultation meeting was multi-faceted and included a brief dynamic planning process, introduction to the Circle of Courage Elementary School Tool Kit, presentations and discussions with Augustana education professors Julie Ashworth and Laurie Wenger, and a visit to Hawthorne Elementary School hosted by Cheryl Larson, principal and Lisa Brunick, art teacher. The dynamic planning process was carried out to assist the Regina team in articulating their vision of system-wide change, identifying strengths and challenges and focus on short-term action steps to begin addressing the initial challenge. The Tool Kit provides a template for evolving culture and practice in elementary school settings. The visit to Hawthorne Elementary School highlighted an effective example of reclaiming values with a particular look at restorative justice in a school setting.
Planning is underway for Steve and Mark to go to Regina to further the planning process and assist our colleagues in their effort to evolve culture and practice throughout their school system. Reclaiming Youth International is pleased and proud to be involved in this important project!
