Goldenview Youth Court elective class (period 7) will begin taking cases on MONDAY, October 1st.

 

HERE COMES THE JUDGE!

Goldenview Youth Court Mission Statement

 

The purpose of the Goldenview Youth Court:

 

·         To promote a more peaceful and positive school environment

·         To provide an opportunity for students to understand their behaviors when inappropriate

·         To provide an avenue for students to discuss disciplinary problems with their peers

·         To allow students to learn from their mistakes and provide an alternative for of discipline than morning detention (all records are kept confidential and do not go through the office)

·         Encourage others to be positive role models, lead by example, and develop leadership skills

 

WHAT IS IT LIKE?

The Goldenview Youth Court is modeled after the VERY successful Anchorage Youth Court.  Student hearings are conducted by peers (with the supervision of an adult).  All students in Mrs. Collins’ 7th period elective class have received “confidentiality training” from Mrs. Johnson, Asst. Principal.  Students attending Goldenview Middle School are eligible to seek an alternative sentence to morning detention.   When a student receives a detention level offense (excessive tardies, gum chewing, running in the hall, minor unsafe behavior, etc) and can’t or chooses not to serve a morning detention (we believe it is a parent punishment to drive the offender to school by 7:30am), he/she may fill out a green GYC Referral Form (available at the Front Office or Registrar’s desk). 

 

HOW DOES IT WORK?

A peer at a confidential “student hearing” will represent the offender.  The Referral Form must be filled out within 24 hours with the permission and signature of the teacher giving the detention. The student will attach the detention form to the completed GYC form and give it to Mrs. Johnson.  If approved by her, the student will be notified and summoned to appear during your 7th period elective class for an alternative sentence.  Also, record of this offense will not appear in the office discipline file, if the student complies with the sentence given.  A minimum of two detentions will be issued by security, if the alterative sentence is not served.  You may only come to GYC twice. 

 

Our desire is to give students an opportunity to reflect on what they have done and allow them to tell their side of the story in a hearing setting.  We see it as an accountability issue so we have set up the following guidelines for our three judges, two prosecutors and two defense attorneys:

 

1)       Students come to the hearing “guilty” of a detention level offense only, seeking an alternative sentence to the 7:30 am detention.  The punishment should fit the “crime”.

      A teacher MUST agree and sign the green referral for it to come to youth court.

2)       Students will only be pulled from their 7th period class for no more than 20 minutes.

3)       The sentence assigned by GYC will take 30 minutes to complete since a morning detention lasts 30 minutes.

4)   The teacher will be informed when the offender has completed the sanction.

 

Nancy Hanson a previous Goldenview Safety/Security officer said, “Goldenview Youth Court students really made a difference.”  In the past, GYC has maintained a 2% recidivism rate.  Try It!  You’ll like it!  If you have any questions, please contact Mrs. Pam Collins, sponsor or any security officers.