Embedded Files
While learning more about Restorative Practices [RP], I keep circling back to what really matters to me - my BHS community. I am always thinking about what we need to work toward so that RP can someday become our way of interacting at BHS. With that in mind, here is my working definition of RP:
While learning more about Restorative Practices [RP], I keep circling back to what really matters to me - my BHS community. I am always thinking about what we need to work toward so that RP can someday become our way of interacting at BHS. With that in mind, here is my working definition of RP:
Restorative Practices is a way of “doing school” designed to teach and practice communication and relational skills essential to develop healthy communities.
Restorative Practices is a way of “doing school” designed to teach and practice communication and relational skills essential to develop healthy communities.
Important Features of RP:
Important Features of RP:
BHS (as opposed to classrooms or programs) agrees upon and attempts to live by a shared set of core values and behaviors.
BHS (as opposed to classrooms or programs) agrees upon and attempts to live by a shared set of core values and behaviors.
BHS regularly engages in intentional community building activities to build and foster relationships.
BHS regularly engages in intentional community building activities to build and foster relationships.
All members of the BHS community practice healthy, respectful interactions.
All members of the BHS community practice healthy, respectful interactions.
The traditional adult/student hierarchy is diminished through positive discipline (adults don’t prescribe punishment) and community building (all participants are equal in Circle).
The traditional adult/student hierarchy is diminished through positive discipline (adults don’t prescribe punishment) and community building (all participants are equal in Circle).
RP relies upon a specific, transparent process of positive discipline when something “bad” happens - Restorative Justice [RJ] . RJ uses protocols that give voice and respect to victims, people who harm, and the community directly impacted by the incident(s).
RP relies upon a specific, transparent process of positive discipline when something “bad” happens - Restorative Justice [RJ] . RJ uses protocols that give voice and respect to victims, people who harm, and the community directly impacted by the incident(s).
RJ promotes healing and rebuilding relationships. Therefore, repairing harm and learning from mistakes are more important than blame and punishment.
RJ promotes healing and rebuilding relationships. Therefore, repairing harm and learning from mistakes are more important than blame and punishment.
The RJ process can vary from labor intensive (formal conferences) to more spontaneous and adaptive (informal RP).
The RJ process can vary from labor intensive (formal conferences) to more spontaneous and adaptive (informal RP).
Note: So far, I have had limited experience with RP. I regularly facilitate community building Circles in my intermediate EL classes. Also, I have gotten assistance from RJ interns to organize a couple of Restorative Conversations to attempt to resolve issues that were harming relationships in my classes.
Note: So far, I have had limited experience with RP. I regularly facilitate community building Circles in my intermediate EL classes. Also, I have gotten assistance from RJ interns to organize a couple of Restorative Conversations to attempt to resolve issues that were harming relationships in my classes.
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