Oceanside Unified aims to reduce student suspension rates

OCEANSIDE — The Oceanside Unified School District has been working to reduce its suspension rates through alternative methods that aim to keep students in school and help them make better decisions.

The school district’s efforts are part of a broader initiative to foster a stronger sense of belonging within the school community.

“Districtwide, we’re focused on creating a better sense of belonging at our schools through what we’re calling a ‘beloved community,’” said Jordy Sparks, the district’s executive director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Student Supports. “We want students to be in school more often. Suspension, especially out-of-school suspension, takes students out of school, and when that happens, they’re often unsupervised, falling behind on work and accumulating absences.”

Absences from suspensions can lead to students falling behind in classes and, in extreme cases, affect their ability to graduate. Sparks noted that students of color, particularly young Black and Latino men, have been disproportionately affected by the district’s historically high suspension rates.

In response, the district has introduced programs like Restorative Reset, a voluntary alternative to suspension. Students participating in the program attend an off-site program where they complete schoolwork, reflect on their behavior and take responsibility for their actions.

In return, they are not counted as absent, and the suspension does not appear on their school record.

Students can still choose to take their out-of-school suspension, but Sparks said this rarely happens. Additionally, the district has introduced a mediation program at Oceanside High School, allowing students in conflict to request a trained mediator via QR codes placed around campus.

Sparks described the mediation program, introduced last year, as a “major contributor” to reducing out-of-school suspensions.

Jesus Ramos, a 16-year-old sophomore at Oceanside High School, has participated in Restorative Reset multiple times. Ramos, who had been suspended for fighting, credits the program and its staff, particularly James Donnelly and Vu Nguyen, for helping him improve his behavior.

Now, over a year since his last suspension, Ramos is focused on his schoolwork and his future aspirations in music. Ramos offered this advice to other students facing similar hurdles: “Just pay attention and do your work.”

After graduation (or sooner), Ramos hopes to start making music. He favors hip-hop, noting some of his favorite artists include rapper Trippie Redd and late rappers XXXTentacion and Juice WRLD.

Sparks emphasized that the goal of these programs is to teach students lifelong skills.

“We hope that it’s helping to develop the skills in young people to understand the difference between intent versus impact, why what they did was harmful, and how they can be mindful about going forward,” Sparks said.