Restorative Practices

The fundamental premise of restorative practices is that humans are happier, more cooperative and productive, and more likely to make positive changes in their behavior when those in positions of authority do things with them, rather than to or for them.

The goal of restorative practices is to develop community and to manage conflict and tensions by repairing harm and restoring relationships.

The restorative practices framework achieves this through active engagement of 'circles'- where 80% of collective community circle time is spent in Proactive Circles, with 20% spent in Restorative Circles/Formal (Repair) Conferences.

Restorative Practices Overview

Restorative Practices Continuum 

What Are Restorative Practices (video)

Using words to build empathy, express impact, acknowledge strengths & minimize shame.  All staff should use affective language to promote growth in self awareness,  intentionality in language, and community building among students and the greater school community.

Examples of  Affective/Restorative Language:

• Instead of saying “You shouldn’t do that” try “When I saw you shove past people in the hall, I was worried that someone was going to get hurt.” (express impact, build empathy)

• Avoid “Stop talking” and instead try “I have something important I want to share but I feel ignored when you talk over me. Could you please wait until after I’m done?” (express impact, build empathy)

• I am so proud to see/hear..., I am so appreciative of you/your..., I am concerned about..., I am having a hard time understanding…(focus on relationship building/empathy, express impact)

Affective Statements Practice 

Implementing standard restorative practice questions in the moment and holding circles to explore issues, diffuse escalation, identify harm and needs for repair in a non-threatening, collaborative way.

Standard restorative practice questions:

To the responsible person:

• What happened? 

• What were you thinking at the time? 

• Who was impacted & how? 

• What have you thought about since? 

• What's the hardest part? 

• What would help? 

• What needs to happen to make things right?

To the person harmed:

• What did you think when you realized what had happened?

• What impact has this incident had on you and others?

• What did your friends/family say when they heard about it?

• What has been the hardest thing for you?

• What do you think needs to happen to make things right?

More on Restorative Questions 

Circle Planning Template 

Facilitating a scripted circle where all those affected by an incident willingly come together with a trained facilitator to explore what happened, who was affected and co-create a plan for what needs to be done to make things right. All participants are interviewed beforehand.

• Can be utilized to welcome a student back from a suspension, address staff conflict, offer an

alternative to punitive discipline, repair unhealthy relationships, etc.

Facilitating community building and connection through consistent and structured circles. In the restorative practices framework, 80% of collective community circle time is spent in Proactive Circles.

• Establish agreements and protocols to embed circles as part of culture, such as starting a class with a check-in or ending a meeting with celebrations.

Read more on Proactive Circles