1. Principal, Ste. Genevieve du Bois School
An Introduction to
2017 RD Summer Institute
Anthony Van Gessel
Principal, Ste. Genevieve du Bois School

2. Commission on Children at Risk
33 leading doctors, scientists, and youth service professionals
Creation of mature and functioning adults
“Hardwired to Connect: The New Scientific Case for Authoritative Communities”

3. Findings Biological need to connect Meeting this need is essential
Rise in depression, anxiety, attention deficit, conduct disorders, thoughts of suicide, and other serious mental, emotional, and behavioral problems

4. Recommendations
Authoritative Communities: people committed to one another over time that demonstrate and pass on what it means to be a good person
These communities must take the responsibility to address young people’s moral and spiritual needs

5. Discussion Questions Why do we discipline students?
What are we seeking to accomplish through our discipline systems?

6. Goals of Discipline
Provides consequences for bad behavior Rewards good behavior
Seeks to deter unacceptable behavior
Seeks to create a positive school environment
Creation of good people/ citizens/ people of faith

7. Kohlberg’s Stages of Moral Development

8. Discussion Question
Do the discipline systems in place at our schools help achieve these goals?
Are any of these goals unmet at your school? If so, which ones?
If you’re here, the answer is probably “no”

9. Virtue-Based Restorative DisciplineTM
Traditional Discipline is incomplete.
More is needed to create a positive school environment and to produce good people and good citizens.

10. What defines VBRD? Education in Virtue Upholding Human Dignity
Restorative Practices
Catholic/Christian Faith

11. Education in Virtue
Virtues are holy habits that make us like God and lead us to heaven.
-Lynne Lang, Director of School Climate
Virtue is a habitual and firm disposition to do good. The goal of a virtuous life is to become like God.
-Catechism of the Catholic Church (1803)
These attributes are virtues
Vehicle for moral literacy
Potential enhancement of school community
Natural and Supernatural

12. outward signs of school’s celebration of virtue

16. 2. Upholding Human Dignity
Recognition of fallen state of humanity
Power of redemption
Focus on the person, not only the behavior
The breath of God

17. 3. Restorative Practices
Proactive building of relationships and a sense of community in order to prevent conflict and wrongdoing.
Formal process of bringing together the harmer and the harmed and attempting to repair harm rather than only punishing.
International Institute for Restorative Practices (IIRP.edu)

18. 3. Restorative Practices
Reduce harm (violence + bullying)
Improve human behavior
Strengthen civil society
Provide effective leadership
Restore relationships
Repair harm
International Institute for Restorative Practices (IIRP.edu)

19. Answer questions for traditional discipline at your tables
Focus Question
Traditional Discipline
Restorative Practices
What is the level of accountability?
What is addressed?
What is the outcome for the one committing harm?
What does it seek?
How is it organized?

20. Traditional Discipline
Focus Question
Traditional Discipline
Restorative Practices
What is the level of accountability?
High Accountability
What is addressed?
Bad Behavior
What is the outcome for the one committing harm?
Shame or Resentment
What does it seek?
Positive/ Stable Environment
How is it organized?
Top Down

21. Restorative Practices
Focus Question
Traditional Discipline
Restorative Practices
What is the level of accountability?
High Accountability
What is addressed?
Bad Behavior
Root Cause
What is the outcome for the one committing harm?
Shame or Resentment
Preservation of Dignity
What does it seek?
Positive/ Stable Environment
Stronger Community
How is it organized?
Top Down
Involvement

22. 4. Catholic Faith
Faith-based
Prayer
Golden Rule
Scripture

23. VBRDTM Guiding Principles
We will dedicate ourselves to living virtue.
We will support others in living virtue.
We will commit to constructive thoughts, words, and deeds.
When faced with challenges or conflict, we will find solutions that cultivate virtue for ourselves and for one another.

24. VBRDTM Process Misbehavior
Virtues to work on; refer to discipline policy for guidance, then determine relevant consequence.
Who was harmed? How can I make it right?
Restorative Practices (Appropriate discussions/circles—individual, small group, class)
Breakdown of each step

25. Source: International Institute of Restorative Practices
Outcomes
Creation of emotionally safe schools
Decrease in antisocial behavior
Deeper resolution of conflicts
Strengthening of community
Stronger faith
Statement of purpose by the school
Lynne’s slide, Testimonial seconds
IIRP Research
Source: International Institute of Restorative Practices

26. Discussion How close is your current school to the philosophy of VBRD?
What more do you want to do?

27. Wrap Up Anthony Van Gessel Ste Genevieve du Bois School 314-821-4245
We do not expect you to throw out your discipline system. We are asking that when you apply your discipline at school, you let VBRD guide the process.