I have two children in Montclair public schools and I am a criminal justice reform advocate. Last Sunday I attended a meeting at Glenfield Park organized by the NAACP where we talked about the school to prison pipeline, suspension and detention, and restorative practices sessions at school. Restorative practice is an excellent alternative to punitive methods, which we need to eradicate from school settings, and when it is well used, is a fantastic tool to solve conflicts and prevent them from ever happening. This program can only survive with the support of the whole school community and the leadership of school principals and teachers.

Therefore, I urge you to support the efforts for the implementation and expansion of the restorative justice program to all schools and to all students. Don't let it die.