The year’s restorative justice program will officially kick off on Sept 21. Unlike previous advisories, each session will now start off with icebreakers and include group activities.  

The program was implemented last year at Daniel Pearl Magnet High School (DPMHS) due to the district’s push for it to be used as a model for discipline. However, not many students participated in group sessions.

“Our goal is to get students comfortable with the advisory group that is given,” science teacher Stephen Schaffter said.
Before the program came to DPMHS, Schaffter spent two years learning the program. During the training, he saw an opportunity to implement it at school.

However, he and science teacher Jim Morrison have modified the program in order for it to fit the smaller school setting. Instead, advisory will be held every third Friday of each month except when it lands on Fiesta Friday.

Like last year, fourth period will finish 20 minutes early for the advisory to take place. The meetings will be held in the house’s courtyards and each house will have an activity after the meetings for everyone to be a part of.

“We really do hope that everyone gets along in advisory and has fun with the activities that will be created,” Morrison said.