Panel Descriptions

PANEL 1: SCHOOL DISTRICT OF PHILADELPHIA

The first panel featured two officials from the School District of Philadelphia. Dr. Abigail Gray spoke about the School District’s current plans for conflict resolution and trauma management. Dr. Jayme Banks testified about the new programs dealing with trauma and mental health that have been started over the past year. Chief Kevin Bethel testified regarding the school resource officer training and focus on restorative justice. Lastly, Joyce Wilkerson offered written testimony to explain the Board of Education’s position on conflict resolution for students. • Abigail Gray, PhD, Deputy Chief of School Climate and Culture, School District of Philadelphia •Jayme Banks, PsyD, MBA, Deputy Chief of Prevention, Intervention and Trauma, School District of Philadelphia • Kevin Bethel, Chief of School Safety, School District of Philadelphia • Joyce Wilkerson, President, Board of Education

PANEL 2: GUN VIOLENCE EXPERTS

The second panel featured Theron Pride from the Office of Violence Prevention and Dr. Kathleen Reeves from the Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University. Pride spoke about the need to work and expand conflict resolution programs in schools. Dr. Reeves testified about her experience as a physician and the need for the School District and the City to change its current approach to gun violence. • Theron Pride, Senior Director of Violence Prevention Strategies and Programs, Office of Violence Prevention1 • Kathleen Reeves, MD, Senior Associate Dean, Health Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, Lewis Katz School of Medicine, Temple University

PANEL 3: COMMUNITY-BASED ADVOCATES

The third panel featured written statements from Tamir Harper from UrbEd and Jerry Jordan from the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers. Both witnesses offered statements calling for district-wide mandatory programs to address conflict resolution.

• Tamir Harper, Executive Director, UrbEd • Jerry Jordan, President, The Philadelphia Federation of Teachers

PANEL 4: STUDENTS

The fourth panel featured testimony from two students: Tysheed Hatchell from Youth Court and Kaylee Suarez from Juniata Park Academy. Tysheed testified about the benefits and learning experiences offered in Youth Court. Kaylee offered a personal story about how she was able to learn how to handle trauma without violence.

• Tysheed Hatchell, Student, Philadelphia Military Academy (Youth Court) • Kaylee Suarez, Student, Juniata Park Academy

PUBLIC COMMENT

Marie Patterson is the Chair of the Dobbins School Advisory Committee and offered her knowledge of what the School District needs to improve and change.