Circle Forum

New research and a new theory highlighting the pivotal role of independence in the mental health crisis among teenagers. The conversation revolves around the challenges adolescents face when it comes to decision-making and autonomy. Join us as we explore the impact of persistent helplessness, hopelessness and the crucial role restorative practices can play in reshaping the narrative from doing FOR...

Trust, compassion, stability and hope.  These are 4 ways school superintendents built excitement in a recent Gallup poll of over 1,800 U.S. superintendents. Implementing these pillars is possible with the HOW TO of restorative practices.  In this podcast we discuss this Gallup study, delving into the crucial elements that drive excitement, engagement and retention of staff in schools. Leaders don’...

Tune in to our podcast as we delve into the top concerns capturing district leaders' attention in 2024. The challenges are undoubtedly familiar: student well-being  teacher turnover,  Student academic recovery and educational data interpretation  There is transformative potential in restorative practices as it amplifies student voices and addresses teacher retention concerns, shaping a more in...

When secondary principals identify some high yield actions to address student attendance, it’s worth a second and even a third look.  The National Association of Secondary School Principals article is called “ 10 High-yield actions to improve student attendance ”.  These actions are doable.  The top 4 of the 10 are highlighted in our conversation starting with a school climate that shows you care....

Educators tell me regularly that they went into education to make a difference for students.  This week’s podcasts discusses the article HOW INFORMAL MENTORING BY TEACHERS, COUNSELORS, AND COACHES SUPPORTS STUDENTS’ LONG-RUN ACADEMIC SUCCESS talks about how much adults can impact academics just by doing the little things of connecting with kids. If informal mentors can make this big of a differenc...

Secondary student absenteeism is a concern in all school districts.  We’re working with one district to use restorative conferences for student attendance.  It takes courage to be open and vulnerable to something new and something that is scripted.  And it works! The restorative conference for attendance moves the conversation from compliance - we expect you to be here and here’s the consequence f...

Educators know the importance of parental involvement in student success.  What if we started with parents in primary grades with the intention of addressing student attendance? We are involved in just that. It’s important to make intentional connections with parents, specifically those of at-risk students facing chronic absenteeism. Understanding these early patterns in a child's attendance i...

Attendance data drives the changes.  With the data we were given, our research did not show a statistical difference between students engaged in the intervention ATSA:TWO by TEN and the control group.  And yet we heard some terrific stories of collaboration behind the data.  One participant said ‘ very early in our learning, we had talked about the checklist for absenteeism and the protective and...

Recent Canadian attendance research unpacks the transformative journey of educators in enhancing student attendance and the intentional impact on adults. Educators share their experiences in fostering meaningful connections with adults, leveraging data insights, and redefining their role in motivating students. Be sure to read the stories of impact and change  from the research participant and the...

“The one student in grade7 that…had no connection, behaviour problem,… moved around from school to school and he said that he had no connection to anyone at this school …And you see that person walking around the hall today and the amount of growth that person has shown is tremendous.” That’s how one participant in our Attendance Research Project described the impact of building a connection with...

Educational research on attendance in Northwestern Ontario provides school administrators with an understanding of the multifaceted challenges surrounding the implementation of educational research and restorative practices. Emphasizing the critical need for flexibility in timing and the integration of research initiatives within annual school plans, this podcast navigates the complexities of tech...

Are outdated attendance data challenges slowing down our schools’ post-pandemic recovery? In this podcast, we unravel the critical intersection of attendance data and recovery. Obsolete attendance data has repercussions according to the article Outdated Data on Chronic Absenteeism is Slowing Pandemic School Recovery .   From the struggles of accessing real-time attendance data to fostering transpa...

Most educational administrators we’ve met are passionate about fostering a nurturing learning environment.  Our latest podcast episode delves into the pressing issue of the silent crisis of student mental health and absenteeism. From the intricate dynamics of chronic absenteeism to the pivotal role of multi-agency collaboration, our conversation sheds light on some crucial steps needed to redefine...

There’s an important and  fascinating shift in parental perceptions on school attendance post-COVID. This podcast conversation touches on crucial questions about the evolving educational landscape and its impact on our children's future based on the article Parents in England no longer see daily school attendance as vital, report finds:Research finds breakdown in parents’ social contract with...

It's time to shatter the chains of old-school thinking in education. Take a listen to a paradigm shift that's been making waves—schools adopting a non-punitive approach to tackle chronic absenteeism. The journey from punitive measures to fostering genuine connections is rife with insights, and our hosts, Stan, Steve, and Shelley, are your guides. They explore the transformative power of re...

Considering a potential investment?  How about investing in high school adolescents' growth and well-being? In this podcast episode, we're unraveling high school dynamics and the powerful impact of social and emotional learning. Can you believe the title of the research paper that sparked this conversation? "Investing in Adolescent High School Climate and Organizational Context Shapes...

Welcome to another episode of our podcast, where we unravel the pressing concerns within the realm of education. In today's installment, we shine a spotlight on a topic that's sending shockwaves across the continent: the mysterious disappearance of students from classrooms. This isn't just an US phenomenon; Canadians are grappling with it too. We kick off with a poignant story of an 11...

Get ready to explore the pressing issue of kindergarten absenteeism in our latest podcast episode. Shelley,Steve, and Stan  are your guides on this educational journey, as they discuss the challenges and solutions surrounding kindergarten attendance post-COVID-19. Discover why some families are hesitating to send their kids to school and how a shift from a punitive approach to a collaborative, res...

Welcome to another episode of our podcast. I'm Stan, joined by Shelley and Steve, and today we're delving into a topic that's been making headlines recently: chronic absenteeism among students. In Season 8, Episode 5, we tackle the critical issue of too many kids missing school and explore how schools can bring them back into the fold. It's a problem that touches the heart of educa...

It’s tough to have conversations in schools today when it often feels like it’s not safe to do so. Yet we need to be able to talk together, share opinions and give each other opportunities to consider challenges to our way of thinking.  The article from Education Week “Why can’t we talk with each other any more?” evokes our conversation this week about how restorative practices can create safe spa...

Welcome to a thought-provoking episode of our podcast, where we dive deep into the intricate web of relationships within the world of education. In this episode, How Not Having a Teacher Contract Affects Relationships in School," we're exploring a topic that's been making waves in Ontario and beyond – the absence of teacher contracts. Imagine a school where the rules of engagement bet...

“1. What do you look forward to when you come to work each day? 2. If you were to consider leaving this position, why would that be? 3. What factors may trigger a departure?” (Elizabeth Heubeck in EducationWeek) These are terrific questions to initiate meaningful conversations with staff in September and October.  Intentionally  investing time in your teachers and your staff can help to retain the...

Many schools and districts initially involved in restorative practices have let it slide.  Here’s a discussion of research which underscores the value of a relational approach to education by fostering belonging and transforming schools.  The 6 year study of 485 California middle schools shows increased student achievement, reduces suspensions and reduced disparities between groups. The recommenda...

“Wake up!”  Steve tells a story about how a school responded to a student with special behaviour needs.  She fell asleep in class every day.  It took staff who had made a connection with her to figure out the “why” behind the behaviour.  Many staff thought that there should be punishment because “we can’t have kids sleeping in class!”  Steve took the time to use a Fair Process to engage, explain a...

It strikes us in a way that sets off a hot button reaction.  There are adults in schools, parents in the community and students in class that can set off the reaction.  Knowing and recognizing this for what it is, our reaction, can help make connections with others.  Use restorative questions as a response.  Ask something like “what do you need right now?” Consider whether it’s the timing or the l...