Tier I Practices
Connection Circles
Connection Circles are a relationship building and conflict prevention strategy in which a circle process is used to nurture relationships and establish rapport among students and staff. The process enhances empathy and thereby has a conflict reduction and prevention effect. Teachers are encouraged to use connection circles at least once per week.
Restorative Conversations
Restorative Conversations are when individual students and a staff member have a short meeting and make a verbal agreement about how to improve the relationship. A restorative conversation focuses on student strengths, and allows both students and adults to have a say in how behavior may need to change.
Tier II Practices
Problem Solving Circles are class, family, or staff meeting circles designed to address specific problems and harm . All voices are heard and valued as we seek to find solutions using the restorative circle process. Problem solving circles are often facilitated by a teacher, restorative practices coordinator, or a selected facilitator.
Restorative Agreement Meetings are when conflicting parties make written agreements about how to improve their relationships and achieve desired outcomes. We also discuss how to hold each other accountable to these agreements and what should happen if participants do not follow through with the agreements made.
Some guiding questions for problem solving circles or restorative agreement meetings:
Describe what happened to lead us here.
Who was affected by these actions?
What have you been thinking about or feeling since?
What can you take responsibility for?
What do you need from each other to feel better about this situation?
What can you do to make things right?
In the future, what do we all agree to?
What should happen if we don't follow through with these agreements?
Tier III Practices
Restorative Mediation
A restorative mediation is a joint meeting between conflicting students or staff members facilitated by the restorative practices coordinator, or other trained mediator. Participants have a chance to share their perspectives and work together to resolve the conflict, repair any harm, and ensure that it doesn’t continue.
Restorative mediations are often requested by students who want to stop a conflict from escalating into something bigger or physical. In the 2021-2022 school year, we facilitated over 75 restorative mediations!
If a conflict does escalate into a physical fight, most times those students involved are required to participate in a restorative mediation.
Community Group Conference
Community Group Conferences are similar to a problem solving circle. Participants discuss the incident, harms caused, and solutions with a trained facilitator. However, these circles can include many participants, such as those who were harmed, those who caused harm, administrators or other staff, support advocates, parents, and other community members.