The Restorative Justice League (RJL), founded by Andre Griggs in 2014 has opened their program to students on campus.
The RJL is a program that works with all personnel to help with conflict resolution, personal mental skills you want to work on and build, and all mental health skills.
The RJL provides panel practices which is a conflict resolution practice and teaches students how to provide advocacy and leadership. They also do circle practices which is where a community group gets together to develop good communication skills and how to have emotional awareness.
Mr. Jason Waltman, principal of LBHS, said that he wanted to add the RJL to campus because they are trying to build their MTSS (multi-tier systems of support) and this group would help build our tier supports.
The RJL has been added to not only LBHS but Creekside Jr. High and Los Banos Jr. High also.
Mr. Waltman said, “It’s there for them, if they are struggling with getting along with someone or even not feeling motivated.”
Tatiana Griggs, who was hired this year as a counselor works with RJL, said they not only work with students but staff also and family members. They set up sessions with groups depending on the reasoning and urgency but families, students, and staff are also welcome to reach out to her to set up a session.
Griggs said one important lesson she has learned doing this work is to have patience, that working with students and staff it is very important to have patience with them.
Griggs said, “Don’t assume or be afraid to try something new because you’ll never know unless you try.”
Tatiana Griggs is the daughter of Andre Griggs who is the founder of the program.
Miss Tatiana said she and her dad have a very professional relationship when it comes to work and that she sees him as her boss in all work related areas. She mentioned that at work she does not call him dad but she calls him “Griggs.”
The RJL also works with the Merced school district and the Atwater elementary school district.
If you need any help or have questions, you can find Miss Tatiana in room 514 or in Merced.
