Greetings, eForum members, from day one of "Restoring Community in a Disconnected World, Part 2" in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, USA. Hundreds of restorative practitioners, researchers, policy-makers and advocates from around the world have come together for three days to share their knowledge and achievements and to find support and advice from others doing similar work.

The Philadelphia Inquirer's staff writer Kristen A. Graham wrote an article on Sunday Oct. 18, 2009, about the turnaround at West Philadelphia High School. Restorative practices is listed as one of the factors leading to the positive change in the school.

This article focuses on restorative practices and conflict resolution being implemented in schools and home. Featuring an interview with IIRP Canada Director Bruce Schenk.

2009-05-19

In this 36-page PDF document, IIRP Director of Research Sharon Lewis presents disciplinary and other data from U.S., Canadian and British schools that have implemented restorative practices. From the preface: "Taken together and 'in their own words,' it is clear that restorative practices is having a positive effect on the lives of many students and is changing the climate of many schools."

WTFX Fox 29 Philadelphia News's Steve Keeley reports on the reduction in school violence at West Philadelphia High School (formerly one of the city's most dangerous schools), due to restorative practices, live from an IIRP One-Day Conference in Philadelphia.

This article covers a community meeting in which participants learned about the success of restorative practices in Hull, UK, and within the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board. Read the article here »

The Detroit (Michigan) Free Press reports on restorative practices in schools and quotes IIRP president Ted Wachtel. January 5, 2009. This article is no longer available for free.

The Sonoma Valley (California) Sun reports on restorative practices in schools and quotes IIRP president Ted Wachtel. Read the article here.

Restorative circles are the norm in every classroom at Dr. Ross Tilley Public School in Bowmanville, Ontario, an elementary school in the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board. IIRP Canada Director Bruce Schenk has helped implement restorative practices at this school, along with 97 other schools in KPR. This article in NewsDurhamRegion.com talks about how regular circles are improving school culture by giving every student a voice. Read the article here »

WBAL-TV Baltimore education reporter Tim Tooten reports on the IIRP's One-Day Conference for educators, held Tuesday, November 18, 2008 in Baltimore. View video here.