“In years past, these students were largely out of control, frequently fighting in the corridors, scrawling graffiti on the walls and cursing their teachers. Absenteeism rates were among the city’s highest and so were suspensions. Worn-down teachers routinely called in sick.” But in the last few years, everything has changed at Visitacion Valley Middle School in San Francisco. The difference? Meditation.

+ The Atlantic: A Philadelphia school’s big bet on nonviolence. “The police department told us flat out, ‘You’re foolish, and you’ll regret it.'”