Restorative Practices

Restorative practice works to encourage positive relationships, to repair relationships when they have been harmed, and to build a school community based on cooperation, trust, and respect. It's about teaching expectations and pro-social behaviors through restorative communications, problem solving, making agreements, and resolving conflicts with students -- not to them or for them. 

Why take this approach?

• It defines our learning community with a sense of belonging and the importance of relationships.
• Conflicts happen and are opportunities to strengthen relationships when the harm is repaired.
• It teaches problem solving, cooperation, and accountability when all voices are heard and valued.

Questions for when things go wrong …

• What happened?
• What were you thinking of at the time?
• What are you thinking now?
• How did your harm affect others? In what way?
• What do you think you need to do to make things right?
• What will you do differently next time?

When someone has been hurt …

• What did you think when you realized what happened?
• How did this incident impact you and others?
• What has been the hardest thing for you?
• What do you think needs to happen to make things right?