Our first Youth Council was an amazing experience that helped to increase the unity among public school students in the city. During the meeting, we took a deep dive into what Restorative Jusitce looks like to each person and what they currently see in their own school. We felt this activity was vital because alot of NYC schools are based around zero tolerance policies which inhibit students comfortablilty when it comes to school environments. Students mentioned being surveiled frequently by school safety officers and cameras. Some even recalled going through metal detectors making them feel like they were entering a prison. When asked what Restorative Justice looked like to them, most students enivsioned a school valuing communication; whether that meant community circles, or mediations if conflict happened. Some students even talked about conflict preventation and what it meant to make sure community needs are met so that conflict doesn’t arise. This topic really inspired youth to question the current school system rather than complying with it. We hope to have more conversations like these around our 5R’s at future meetings to really encourage students to advocate for themselves and those around them.