Department of Restorative Practices

Youth Listening Session During Mayor Cavalier Johnson's Peace Week

The Department of Restorative Practices was honored to host a significant Peace and Violence Prevention Listening Session on Tuesday, May 6th, as a part of Mayor Cavalier Johnson's city-wide Milwaukee Peace Week. The powerful session brought together youth from Riverside High School with Mayor Johnson, Milwaukee Police Chief Jeffery Norman, a Milwaukee Public Schools board member, and school resource officers.

Facilitated by Director Leon Groce of the Department of Restorative Practices, the listening session provided a brave space for open dialogue. Participants in the circle were invited to share their personal experiences regarding the current conditions and those needed to foster a sense of peace both within and outside of school walls. They also reflected on moments when they actively contributed to peaceful resolutions and what they observed about themselves during those instances, concluding with a word of appreciation for the shared experience.

The youth, in particular, offered poignant one-word reflections stemming from their time in the circle, including: "encouraged," "loved," "connected," "organize," "blessing," "grateful," "pride," "trust," "community," "inspiring," and "hope." These powerful responses underscore the impact of restorative dialogue and the importance of youth voice in shaping a more peaceful community.

The Department of Restorative Practices is committed to continuing these vital conversations and fostering environments where all individuals, especially young people, feel heard, valued, and empowered to contribute to peace and violence prevention.

Unlocking Potential Through Partnership: MU, MPS, and the Andrew Center

Recognizing the power of partnership at the Marquette University Partners Breakfast! We're grateful for the collaboration between the Milwaukee Public Schools Restorative Practices Department, the Andrew Center of Restorative Justice, and MU's Educational Leadership & Policy department. This teamwork is crucial in providing both experiential and research opportunities to the Foundations of Restorative Practices High School Course offered at Audubon, Project Stay, and South Division High Schools.

Sixth Graders at Lincoln Center for the Arts Cultivate a Caring Community

In a powerful display of self-awareness and collaboration, the sixth-grade class at Lincoln Center for the Arts has taken ownership of their learning environment. Through thoughtful discussion, these young learners identified what they need to thrive both as individuals and as a collective. They articulated their priorities and, from these, crafted their very own shared agreements.

These agreements, now proudly displayed in their classroom, serve as a living testament to their commitment to creating a caring and supportive community. They act as a gentle reminder and a framework for students to encourage one another in fostering an environment where everyone can be their best selves and achieve academic success. This inspiring initiative highlights the power of student voice and the foundational role of community in education.

Sharing Milwaukee's Restorative Practices Journey at WIPCS 40th Annual Conference at Marquette

Sharing at the WIPCS 40th Annual Conference at Marquette University about the ongoing evolution of Restorative Practices in Milwaukee Public Schools. This important session featured perspectives from UW-Whitewater, the MPS Department of Restorative Practices, Marquette University, the vital work of 414 Life (Medical College of Wisconsin), and local Restorative Practitioners.

Lincoln Avenue Staff Meeting

Fostering a culture of understanding and responsibility, Lincoln Avenue Elementary took a significant step in restorative practices. Restorative Practices Director, Leon Groce, and Supervisor, Moriah Weingrod, guided staff through a restorative circle centered on effective communication and the vital interplay of high support and high accountability. A fishbowl roleplay, featuring staff volunteers, showcased the power and value of working from the 'with' box and how this restorative approach encourages cooperation, collaboration, responsibility and accountability.

Day 1: Racial Justice & Equity

Recognizing the importance of focused learning, the standard full-day session was innovatively divided into two half-day sessions, held on March 5th and 12th and facilitated by coaches Nikki Janzen and Shani Smith. This format allowed ten participants from eight diverse schools and departments to deeply engage with the crucial topics of racial justice and equity. The sessions explored the profound impact these concepts have on building strong relationships and implementing effective restorative practices within educational settings.

The training was met with enthusiastic engagement and positive feedback, demonstrating the facilitators' ability to create a meaningful learning experience. Participants appreciated the depth of the content and the opportunity for reflection. One participant remarked, “I just want to say how remarkable today’s Circle Training was. It was exactly what I needed to focus my efforts in this job, and I appreciate it. I am very much looking forward to next week 😊.” This feedback underscores the training's success in providing relevant and impactful professional development, setting a strong foundation for future restorative practices initiatives.

Zablocki Peace Circle

At Zablocki, we believe in fostering strong connections within our classrooms as the foundation for a positive learning environment. We utilize peace circles as a powerful tool to facilitate meaningful dialogue and build community. This picture captures a recent 5th grade peace circle discussion focused on the power and history of drumming. Students explored the rich heritage of the conga drum, recognizing its deep roots in African Caribbean culture and its significance as a tool for expression and communication. Through these discussions, students develop empathy, respect, and a deeper understanding of diverse cultures.

Day 1: Racial Justice & Equity

On January 28th educators and staff from across the district gathered at UW-Milwaukee's Lubar Entrepreneur Center for "Day 1: Racial Justice & Equity," a powerful training led by Amanda Coyle & Nikki Janzen. Participants representing eight different schools and various departments engaged in a deep dive into racial justice and equity, exploring its impact on relationships and the development of effective restorative practices.

Day 3: Building Community

On January 16, 2025, 17 individuals participated in a training session titled "Day 3: Building Community," facilitated by Katie Coldwell and Joanna Rizzotto. The workshop focused on creating inclusive and supportive communities using circle practices. Participants learned the art of circle keeping, the importance of shared agreements and values, and how to design effective circle agendas.

Restorative Practices Cohort Connects and Colleaborates

On Wednesday, January 15th, the Department of Restorative Practices hosted its 4th after-school cohort session, bringing together members of restorative practices implementation teams from nine schools. This two-hour workshop, held at the Sojourner Family Peace Center, provided a valuable opportunity for these dedicated individuals to connect, share experiences, and learn from one another's successes and challenges.

The session focused on the crucial work of building community among staff, recognizing that a strong internal culture is essential for effectively implementing restorative practices with students. Participants were given dedicated time to collaborate with their peers, working together to develop and refine processes for fostering a supportive and inclusive environment within their respective schools. The collaborative atmosphere sparked rich conversation and generated exciting new plans for strengthening staff connections and promoting a shared understanding of restorative principles. The energy and enthusiasm in the room were palpable as teams worked together to create concrete steps for moving forward. This cohort session proved to be a powerful catalyst for growth, empowering school teams to cultivate positive change from within.

South Division Students Connect with Marquette's Restorative Justice Program

On November 26th, students from the South Division Restorative Practices class had a unique opportunity to visit the Marquette University Andrew Center for Restorative Justice. While there, they actively participated in a community-building circle led by the Center's Director, Mary Triggiano.

Students also expressed their understanding of restorative justice through creative art projects. Additionally, they toured the Marquette University Law School, gaining insights into the legal field and its intersection with restorative justice.

This partnership between South Division and the MPS Restorative Practices Department benefits both our students and Marquette's law students. By developing more circle keepers, we're working towards a future where restorative practices are integrated into both our schools and the broader justice system.

Restorative Practices Cohort Meeting Fosters Staff Welcome & Belonging

On Wednesday, December 18th, the Department of Restorative Practices hosted a cohort meeting that brought together 26 educators from 12 different schools within the restorative practices community. The meeting focused on enhancing staff well-being and fostering a sense of belonging within school environments.

Attendees began by participating in a circle activity where they shared what makes them feel welcomed and valued within their school communities. Following this, participants connected with their school teams to engage in collaborative work. Teams focused on developing action plans to improve how their schools welcome and integrate new and existing staff members. This included strategies to build strong team cohesion and create a more inclusive and supportive work environment for all educators.

This cohort meeting provided a valuable platform for school teams to share best practices, learn from each other, and develop concrete plans to enhance staff well-being and create a more positive and supportive school culture.

Audubon HS and Marquette University Partner for Restorative Justice

On December 3rd, students from Audubon High School’s Restorative Practices class welcomed law clinic students from Marquette University’s Andrew Center for Restorative Justice. This collaboration highlights the power of partnership in promoting restorative justice.

Led by Mr. Lazzari, one of Milwaukee Public Schools’ most experienced Restorative Practices teachers, the class explored how circle practices can be integrated into traditional classroom learning. The day’s activities included:

Building Relationships: A team-building egg drop challenge, where all teams successfully reached the 6-foot level, a new class record!
Addressing Issues: A focused discussion on the concept of forgiveness.

By combining these elements, Mr. Lazzari demonstrates how restorative practices can create a positive and inclusive learning environment.

Empowering Educators: The Restorative Practices Cohort

RP Coach Aaron Miller facilitates an activity at the monthly Restorative Practices Cohort. This unique opportunity is held at Milwaukee Public School’s community partner Sojourner Truth Family Peace Center and brings together educators committed to Restorative Practices development from across the district.

A New Era of Education: Restorative Practices at Bayview High School

Bayview High School Social Studies teacher Keegan Marifern is a member of the Restorative Practices Teacher Cohort and utilizes content circles in his Psychology class. Students are engaged and the community is strengthened with every circle.

MPS department of Restorative Practices Welcomes You

Supporting Your Restorative Journey

The MPS Restorative Practices Toolbox provides resources to support the use of restorative practices with a small group, classroom, or staff. These resources are meant to supplement, not replace, in-person district trainings offered through LMS.

The restorative practices team is here to help. Please contact us at (414) 252-0220, restorativepractices@milwaukee.k12.wi.us, or complete the Restorative Practices Request Form with suggestions on what you would like to see on our site, questions and/or concerns for our team of coaches.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Restorative Practices in MPS

Restorative practices is a way of being that is rooted in indigenous wisdom and teachings and refers to all the things we do to build, maintain, and repair relationships.

When being restorative, we honor cultures and identities, ensure that all voices are valued, and foster meaningful connections among all school community members.

This mindset naturally creates cultures where everyone is accountable and supported in striving to be their authentic selves socially, emotionally, and academically.

Mission:

We are dedicated to dismantling educational systems and structures that have historically and continue to oppress Black and Brown communities. We transform educational culture using a continuum of restorative practices. These practices build inclusive communities founded on shared values that celebrate all cultures and identities.

Vision:

We envision a liberated educational community where everyone is celebrated for who they are, feels a strong sense of connection and belonging, and responds to conflict and discomfort as an opportunity to repair, strengthen and heal the community.

Values:

We center relationships, healing, dignity, justice, joy and trust in schools.

Click here for restorative resources

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MPS Restorative Practices Educator Guide

The MPS Restorative Practices Educator Guide is not intended to stand alone and is instead designed to augment in-person restorative practices professional development. It is highly recommended that educators attend an in-person training to support the exploration of the tools and resources included in this guide. Milwaukee Public Schools provides professional development opportunities that can accessed via LMS.

If there are items you wish to add, change, or delete from this toolbox, please email restorativepractices@milwaukee.k12.wi.us. We would love to share all of the great things you are doing and creating.

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