‘Sharing circle’ helps students at Crossroads

DEVLIN—The “Sharing Circle,” a unique strategy at Crossroads School in Devlin, has shown continued success for a small group of students there.
Students from the Living and Learning class have been meeting several times a month since October to share what’s on their mind.
“We envisioned it as more of an intervention to help them early on with issues—to prevent them from making mistakes,” explained classroom teacher Nancy Councillor, who helped get the “Sharing Circle” up and running.
She said she knew the students were good kids and wanted to help them work on things to allow them to move on with their education.
“Everybody’s got something to get off their chest and I wanted to give them that opportunity,” she added.
The five students sit in the circle among a combination of supportive adults, including parents, teachers, principals, as well as the education counsellor, family counsellor, and the “Healing Our Own” program director from Naicatchewenin First Nation.
Counsellors from Anishinabeg Counselling Services often are involved, as well.
Councillor said the adults are there to help the students become personally successful—both at school and at home.
“We believe that if a student can’t ‘live,’ they certainly can’t ‘learn,’” she stressed, adding the class has individual education plans suited to their specific social, emotional, and academic needs.
The “circle” discussions also are adapted to meet these needs.
Ed Yerxa, program co-ordinator from Naicatchewenin First Nation, leads the discussions but the morning agenda is established by the students.
“We never know how long it may take for our students to deal with things that are important to them,” Councillor noted. “We are very flexible with the time frame.”
Yerxa agreed the entire strategy is driven by what the kids need.
“It’s tough for kids growing up today,” he acknowledged. “The obstacles and hurdles are much different than they were 20 or 30 years ago, so how do we respond?
“We have to be creative. . . . We have to do whatever we can to support the young people,” he stressed.
Yerxa explained the “Sharing Circle” provides a link between school, home, and the community.
“What happens at home affects what goes on at school, and things that happen at school affects things at home,” he noted. “So we bring all of those things together.”
Yerxa said he doesn’t come to the “circle” with the answers, but that the solutions come from the students themselves.
In the circle, the participants adhere to traditional circle protocol, with everyone following a set of rules established by the students.
The “Sharing Circle” is closed with the shaking of hands by each member.
Some of the discussion stems from the weekly reflective tasks the students complete between each meeting.
Councillor said the students take these tasks seriously since it is part of their job to work hard as individuals in the “circle.”
“But it’s not always easy for them to share,” she admitted. “Sometimes what they are confronted with is difficult for them and they are not comfortable.”
The students are given the option of passing, she added.
Yet Councillor also stressed the importance of confidentiality within the “Sharing Circle.”
“They need to be able to trust not only one another, but all of the adults in order for the benefits to be effective,” she remarked.
“It seems to be working,” noted Crossroads principal Dianne Thompson.
“There has been an impact, but it’s critical we’re all working together with the kids—we’re all here from the same reason.”
She said the progress and success of the students is measured individually, evaluating the social, emotional, and academic improvements.
Parents Phyllis Ulrich and Melvina Chiefson have observed firsthand the positive changes in their children because of the strategy.
“It helps them make the right choices,” Ulrich noted.
“[My child’s] behaviour has changed significantly,” echoed Chiefson.
Ulrich indicated the “Sharing Circle” also has opened the lines of communication at home and she enjoys participating in it.
“I feel good going home and I feel good being with the kids,” she said.
Councillor noted the students have learned they have to be accountable to the group and to themselves, as well as being accountable for their own actions and behaviours.
“They’ve developed the strength to share things they haven’t been able to before,” she explained, adding there is a lot of self-development.
One student said he enjoys being involved in the “Sharing Circle” and feels students at other schools would benefit from a similar strategy.
“It would be great for other schools to have something like this,” Yerxa agreed. “It’s just so great for the kids.”
The adults know, however, that the “Sharing Circle” only may be the beginning of a long journey for the students.
“We want them to know it is a long road and they don’t have to walk alone—support can be found on many levels,” Councillor stressed.
“Each of these students deserves to be a successful, contributing member of society—now and in the future.”
Crossroads received a “Recognition of Excellence” from the Rainy River District School Board for its “Sharing Circle” strategy earlier this year.