What are the impacts of having restorative discipline in our elementary programs?

• Focus on relationships:
  The primary goal is to understand the impact of behavior on others and work towards repairing damaged relationships. 

• Open communication:
  Students are encouraged to express their feelings and perspectives openly, allowing for better understanding of the situation. 

• Circle time:
  Many restorative practices involve gathering in a circle to facilitate discussion and share thoughts in a safe space. 

• Restorative consequences:
  Instead of traditional punishments, consequences are designed to directly address the harm caused, like apologizing to the affected person or making amends. 

• Empowering students:
  Restorative practices aim to empower students to take ownership of their actions and actively participate in resolving conflicts. 

Examples of restorative practices in elementary schools:

• Peer mediation:
  Students involved in a conflict work together with a trained mediator to reach a solution. 

• Class conferences:
  The whole class discusses a behavior issue, exploring its impact and collectively deciding on steps to repair the harm. 

• Individual conferences:
  A teacher meets with a student to discuss their behavior, understand their perspective, and develop a plan to move forward. 

• "I" statements:
  Encouraging students to use "I" statements to express their feelings about a situation, helping others understand their perspective. 

Benefits of Restorative Discipline:

1. Improved school climate and positive relationships between students and teachers

2. Reduced disciplinary issues and suspensions

3. Increased student engagement and sense of responsibility

4. Development of social-emotional skills like empathy and conflict resolution