ROCHESTER, N.Y. —  Some students from the Rochester City School District are taking the necessary steps to lead by example at their respective schools.

It’s a part of the district's anti-violence initiative, the Student Voice Initiative.

Members of the RocRestorative team will train students in grades three through 12 in restorative practices to help reduce suspensions, encourage students not to skip school and help reduce violent incidents in schools and the community.

They welcomed their first group of third to sixth graders early Thursday morning.

"The approach we're taking as a team is proactively giving our students the tools and confidence to engage in those conversations,” said Christopher Smith of the RocRestorative program. “Take the initiative to know the people around you and invest in them. Take that time and put in the energy and effort. This crisis our city is facing is not going to be solved in one day or one week."

The program is in its second year and has trained about 125 students so far.