Restorative Practices

Stony Creek and Shaffer Elementary Schools will be using Restorative Practices and Proactive Circles throughout the school year.

QUICK OVERVIEW OF RESTORATIVE PRACTICE

What is Restorative Practice? Restorative Practices is a term used to describe a relationship-oriented approach (rather than a punishment-oriented one) to resolving issues that arise in school. The five Rs of Restorative Practice are relationship, respect, responsibility, repair, and reintegration.

Proactive Circles-- happen weekly in the classroom for the purpose of connection and belonging (usually a question with a brief answer where everyone participates)

Responsive Circles--happen as needed in classrooms to address incidents that may cause harm (bullying, playground conflict, or unsafe behavior) or denote a change in the community (new student or a student’s last day)

Informal Conferences--used to talk to an individual or small group about an issue (student/teacher conflict, habitual tardies, etc.) using 4 questions (What happened? Who did it affect? What might you have done differently? What is a solution so it doesn’t happen again?) to reflect on effects of the behavior

Preconferences--fact-finding review of the 4 questions with each individual in conflict prior to determine whether to put them together in a formal RP Conference

RP Conferences--conference with two people in conflict or a reintegration of a student who has been suspended that results in a signed, mutually agreeable and student-generated solution

How can you support your student at home?

• Use the 4 questions when helping your student to problem solve through a conflict they have at home.

• Take turns answering relationship building questions around the dinner table.