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The Spring Intensive is a rare opportunity to explore the full potential of restorative practices: a powerful four-day experience that will immerse you in the restorative culture of CSF Buxmont schools for delinquent and at-risk youth (IIRP demonstration programs), followed by two days of core restorative practices training. After two days of firsthand involvement in the restorative environment of a CSF Buxmont school, you can immediately deepen your understanding by learning about what you’ve just experienced.

CSF Buxmont programs are particularly significant as an example of a restorative environment. In two empirical research studies, the programs were shown to halve reoffending rates and improve social values and self-esteem, a remarkable finding. Read the eForum article "A Day at a CSF Buxmont School" by Laura Mirsky to find out more about CSF Buxmont.

“The most inspiring and motivating school experience I have ever had the pleasure of being a part of — amazing work with challenging teens.”

— Steve Newlove, Vice Principal, Saanich School District #63, Sidney, British Columbia, Canada

Days 1 & 2: Immersion
Participants will attend an initial briefing about the schools' restorative strategies and empirical research results, then travel by van to a CSF Buxmont school. For two days, they will observe interactions among staff and youth, participate in circles and attend an end-of-day staff meeting. Knowledgeable facilitators will help participants process what they've seen and heard.

Day 3: Introduction to Restorative Practices
From core concepts to practical, real-life strategies. The fundamental unifying premise of restorative practices is that people are happier, more productive and more likely to make positive changes in their lives when those in positions of authority do things with them rather than to them or for them. Engaging discussion, enlightening video and activities help participants apply these ideas and practices to everyday life with youth, clients, employees and colleagues.

Day 4: Restorative Circles
A versatile restorative practice that fosters cooperation and responsibility in group situations. Through video, practice and discussion, participants learn how to use circles to build community, establish norms, deliver course content, set academic goals and address behavior and relationships.

Registration Options

• All 4 days: $450 (discounted from $500)
• Immersion plus one training day: $350 (discounted from $375)
• Immersion only: $250
• Introduction to Restorative Practices only: $125
• Using Circles Effectively only: $125

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Comments on the Immersion

The staff and students we were fortunate to meet were wonderful. Considering the client group that the CSF draws on there was a relaxed yet purposeful feeling to the atmosphere of the school. The opportunity to speak candidly with teaching staff, students and counsellors enabled me to get a genuine perception of what day to day life was like for all.

I believe that my attendance of the two day immersion will help me greatly in my work in schools in the UK.

Paul Moran, Operations Manager, Aleandra House,
Youth Offending Service, England, UK

I liked everything about what I saw and felt. The counselors demonstrated skill in sticking with the principles of high expectations and high support in the conference circles. The teachers were competent in their approach to their subjects and interaffectively connected to their students. The students worked hard to participate with each other in restorative practices, even though their scripts pulled at them to act out their feelings rather than to manage them. Watching the students, teachers, and counselors working together, plus being allowed to fully participate with them in the conferencing circles, brought home the effectiveness of restorative practices on an emotional level, an experiential level. … I wished I were on the sunrise side of my career so that I might move to the Lehigh Valley to work in your programs.

William Thrash, Consultant,
First United Methodist Church, Fort Worth, TX

Many things impressed me while participating a restorative practices classroom. … The most impressive incident occurred when a group of students were gathered to sit in a circle and one by one tell one boy how his behavior was affecting them. He listened to each person, thanked them for their feedback, and at the end told everyone how he would try to fix his behavior. I don’t know very many adults who could listen to such honesty from their peers. I was quite impressed.

Karyn Hierl, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

I am forever grateful to the students and staff who not only opened up their school to us but allowed us to take part in their experiences, openness and honesty of what was going on in their lives for them. This has allowed me first hand to experience how effective that Restorative Practices can be in the school system. Thanks!

Corinne Gaudet, Justice Coordinator,
Dawson Community Group Conference Society, Dawson City, Yukon Territory, Canada