CRS: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE COMMUNITY RELATIONS SERVICE CRS COSPONSORS NEW ENGLAND CONFERENCE ON SAFE SCHOOLS/SAFE COMMUNITIES IN BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Justice, Community Relations Service (CRS), will cosponsor the New England Conference on Safe Schools/Safe Communities in Boston, Massachusetts, with the New England Community Educational Institute of Medford, Massachusetts on March 24-25, 2003. The conference will be held at the Doubletree Guest Suites Hotel, 400 Soldiers Field Road, Boston, Massachusetts. The telephone number is 617/783-0090.

The Community Relations Service staff will conduct mediation training for school resource officers from communities throughout New England, in order to build the capacity of local communities to address school racial issues. Topics of the conference include hate crimes, bullying , creating a positive school climate, building diversity, and schools and police working collaboratively in keeping schools safe.

A multicultural learning environment has become the norm in many school districts and communities throughout the United States. The diversity found in these settings offers many opportunities for people to learn more about one another. On the other hand, not all members of the school community may adjust to this diversity. CRS offers several racial conflict prevention and management programs for schools and school districts to manage and prevent racial or ethnic conflicts. These programs include direct conflict resolution services, student conflict resolution teams, student problem identification and resolution program, community dialogues and forums, conflict management and cultural awareness training for faculty and staff, and management of school disruption and violence.

The U.S. Department of Justice, Community Relations Service, offers conflict resolution and mediation services to communities affected by issues of race, ethnicity and national origin. For more information about the U.S. Department of Justice, Community Relations Service, visit the CRS website at www.usdoj.gov/crs, or contact its headquarters office in Washington, D.C. at 202/305-2935.

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	FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FRIDAY, MARCH 21, 2003	CONTACT:	Daryl Borgquist 202/305-2966 Martin Walsh 617/524-5715 www.usdoj.gov/crs
	WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Justice, Community Relations Service (CRS), will cosponsor the New England Conference on Safe Schools/Safe Communities in Boston, Massachusetts, with the New England Community Educational Institute of Medford, Massachusetts on March 24-25, 2003. The conference will be held at the Doubletree Guest Suites Hotel, 400 Soldiers Field Road, Boston, Massachusetts. The telephone number is 617/783-0090. The Community Relations Service staff will conduct mediation training for school resource officers from communities throughout New England, in order to build the capacity of local communities to address school racial issues. Topics of the conference include hate crimes, bullying , creating a positive school climate, building diversity, and schools and police working collaboratively in keeping schools safe. A multicultural learning environment has become the norm in many school districts and communities throughout the United States. The diversity found in these settings offers many opportunities for people to learn more about one another. On the other hand, not all members of the school community may adjust to this diversity. CRS offers several racial conflict prevention and management programs for schools and school districts to manage and prevent racial or ethnic conflicts. These programs include direct conflict resolution services, student conflict resolution teams, student problem identification and resolution program, community dialogues and forums, conflict management and cultural awareness training for faculty and staff, and management of school disruption and violence. The U.S. Department of Justice, Community Relations Service, offers conflict resolution and mediation services to communities affected by issues of race, ethnicity and national origin. For more information about the U.S. Department of Justice, Community Relations Service, visit the CRS website at www.usdoj.gov/crs, or contact its headquarters office in Washington, D.C. at 202/305-2935. ###