Restorative practices is about building and maintaining relationships with intention. In schools, this looks like community building to bring awareness to our interconnectedness and to strengthen our bonds. When harm happens, we are intentional about centering the relationships and understanding impact and how to repair the harm in ways that restore relationships as much as possible so that our community can thrive.

Restorative practices rest on core assumptions, such as those outlined by Kay Pranis and Carolyn Boyes-Watson:

1. The True Self in Everyone Is Good, Wise, and Powerful

2. The World is profoundly Interconnected

3. All Human Beings have a Deep Desire to be in a Good Relationship

4. All Humans Have Gifts & Everyone Is Needed for What They Bring

5. Everything We Need to Make Positive Change Is Already Here

6. Human Beings are Holistic

7. We Need Practices to Build Habits of Living from the Core Self

Here are a few resources for introducing RJ at the elementary level through videos and articles:

Restorative Justice in Schools: SEL in Action by David Yusem

Circles in the Classroom by Edutopia (Oakland) (4 minutes)

Intro to Restorative Justice by RestorativeDC (8 minutes)

What is Restorative Practices by iiRP (2 minutes)

How Restorative Justice Helps Students Learn by Edutopia

A Tale of Two Schools by Schott Foundation

The Chairs are Theirs by Aaron Neimark

Understanding Restorative Practice by Yari Ojeda Sandel

How to Safely Manage a Student in Crisis by Matthew J. Bowerman, Edutopia

Staff Professional Development

• Community Building PD by Clothilde Escudero

• The "Rest" in Restoration PD by Clothilde Escudero

• Restoration and Renewal PD by Clothilde Escudero

• Restorative Leadership PD by Clothilde Escudero

Circles

Back to School Night Parent Circle by Yari Ojeda Sandel

RJ Circle Guidelines by Sasha Price and Nicole Anderson

Power Dynamics and Bringing People Together

Bringing people together to talk before they are ready can be dangerous. For example, one person may want to physically or emotionally hurt the other person. Or, the other person may not be ready to be honest and real about their actions. Bringing the participants together at this point may actually cause more harm. Instead, it may be necessary to provide other supports until all people are ready to participate safely. Before bringing anyone together, make sure all statements below are true:

• Is participation by choice?

• Do all participants feel safe and supported?

• Are all participants accountable for their part?

Resources

Modified W.A.R.M. Conversation by Yari Ojeda Sandel

Student-Teacher Talk Sheet Template

Accountability Reflection Template by Tatiana Chaterji

Both Parties Reflection Sheet modified from Here on TPT

Attend The Educator Circle by Reuben, RJOY

Attend #RJLeague chat on Twitter by Victor Small

Restorative Practices (RJ Social Discipline Window) by Jon Kidde

Restorative Practices Kete Guide by Ministry of Education, New Zealand

Ways to Implement RJ in the Classroom on EdWeek

RJ in the Classroom perspective in Queensland, Australia

RJ resources on Padlet by Victor Small