SBCSC

The purpose of SBCSC’s work in Restorative Justice in Education (RJE) is to strengthen our school community by placing responsibility, respect, and relationship-building at the center of our students’ school experience. This is especially important because it will best support academic achievement for our students of color and for students with adverse childhood experiences (ACES) deriving from implicit bias, trauma and poverty issues. These students are disproportionately excluded from instruction for disciplinary reasons. By creating equitable and just work environments and positive school cultures, these students will be included in academic gains while developing essential skills for having healthy life-long relationships and resolving conflicts.

In our vision, restorative justice in education (RJE) is the district-wide policy and the consistent practice for building community, handling conflict, and/or repairing harm within the South Bend Community School Corporation. Each and every child, teacher, administrator, and staff member is trained, skilled, and supported in understanding and using restorative justice practices. Every child, teacher, administrator, and staff member in every school gains the skills and commitments needed for achieving and sustaining just communities.