Restorative Practices Consultant Speaks to OLOL Parents and Schools Across SNCDSB

Written by admin on 11 September 2012

Restorative Practices Consultant Ron Cameron addresses parents from Our Lady of Lourdes school at yesterday's session. Photos OntarioNewsNorth.com

Consultant Ron Cameron, International Institute for Restorative Practices (IIRP). Photo OntarioNewsNorth.com

MANITOUWADGE, ON – Yesterday evening more than a dozen parents gathered in the Prayer Atrium at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School for a presentation from Restorative Practices Consultant Ron Cameron who had spent the day in sessions with teachers and staff from the school.

Parents learned about the use of circles in communicating with groups of people, of the differences between more traditional “Adversarial” discipline in which Cameron described blame, punishment to be used as deterrents and “Restorative” or relational discipline in which deterring unwanted behaviours is linked to relationships and personal accountability.

Those in attendance provided much input and had many questions regarding how best parents, and those in authoritym can address situations in which children have made negative or inappropriate choices. Using role play Cameron illustrated for the group examples of how “circles” can be used by parents in addressing negative choices which have in some way hurt or harmed another person, or group of people, to ensure that community harmony or friendships are restored and accountability for actions is taken by the person who has caused hurt or harm.

Cameron explained to the group that the fundamental premise of restorative practices is that people are happier, more cooperative and productive, and more likely to make positive changes when those in authority do things with them, rather than to them or for them.

The International Institute for Restorative Practices (IIRP) says that “the field of restorative practices has significant implications for all aspects of society — from families, classrooms, schools and prisons to workplaces, associations, governments, even whole nations — because restorative practices can develop better relationships among these organizations’ constituents and help the overall organization function more effectively.” On it’s website the IIRP give the example of schools, where it says “the use of restorative practices has been shown to reliably reduce misbehavior, bullying, violence and crime among students and improve the overall climate for learning. Everyone who finds themselves in positions of authority — from parents, teachers and police to administrators and government officials — can benefit from learning about restorative practices.

Cameron, who was in Marathon today to present to teachers and parents at Holy Saviour School, was among several IIRP representatives visiting schools of the Superior North Catholic District School Board across the Northshore and Greenstone.