What is Restorative Practice in Schools?
Restorative practices in schools are approaches designed to build a positive school culture, improve relationships, and address conflict in a constructive way. Instead of focusing solely on consequences for misbehavior, restorative practices emphasize repairing harm, fostering accountability, and supporting the needs of all parties involved.
Ways we use restorative practices:
- Community Building Morning Circles every day
- Mediations to resolve conflict
- Re-Entry Circles after a suspension
- Options for accountability instead of suspension
- Opportunities for student voice and leadership
Tier I – all settings and all students
- Building relationships, trust and community
- Classroom, advisory and schoolwide circles
- Community agreements
- Calming areas
Tier II – Small groups of students
- Non-punitive responses to disruptive behavior
- Conflict mediation
- Healing or problem-solving circles
- Community conferencing
- Repair conversations
Tier III – Individual students
- Re-entry and re-integration
- Intervention and re-entry circles
- Restorative counseling
Circle Guidelines:
- Respect the talking piece
- Speak from the heart
- Share just enough
- Listen with respect
- Remain in the circle
- Honor confidentiality