Every morning at 9 a.m. sharp, Pittsburgh Arlington PreK-8 Principal Crystal Caldwell meets her five-member staff group outside her office for the morning huddle. On a rainy Wednesday morning in May, they were joined by community partners from A+ Schools for their routine walk around the building.
Caldwell held a sheet of paper with a checklist of questions: What’s coming up in the next 24 to 72 hours that may be a concern? What are some key safety notes? What are the day’s plans for working with students who lack basic necessities, as well as those who have been involved in violence or could be exposed to violence?
As they walked, social workers Elizabeth Blackhurst and Andrew Henry, Assistant Principal Mike Dreger and restorative practice Project Assistant Alexa Marotta reviewed situations involving several students…