Restorative Schools

Why:
The implementation of a school-wide restorative approach is a positive step to interrupt the school to prison pipeline. The result is less crime and lower cost to our community in multiple ways (lives, fear, hate). There is disproportionality in discipline in many districts. Minority youth are over represented in every discipline metric. Exclusionary discipline affects Black and Hispanic males not only more frequently but also, with a greater severity. There is little doubt that this exists – but there is great debate about what causes this and what fixes this.

Many districts in Minnesota have a federal OCR mandate to change from a punitive to a restorative practice and are in need of alternatives to more traditional exclusionary practices.

Benefits of Restorative Approaches in the School Setting:

• A safer, more caring environment.
• A more effective teaching and learning environment.
• A greater commitment by everyone to taking the time to listen to one another.
• A reduction in bullying and other interpersonal conflicts.
• A greater awareness of the importance of connectedness to young people. The need to belong and feel valued by peers and significant adults.
• Greater emphasis on responses to inappropriate behavior that seek to reconnect, and not further disconnect young people.
• Reductions in fixed term and permanent suspensions and expulsions.
• A greater confidence in the staff team to deal with challenging situations.

What: 
Relationships are the greatest source of cultural conflict, without processes that address these conflicts, the harm persists and cultures breakdown. In the crisis of conflict and harm Restorative Practice seeks to build relationships not only with the victim and offender but the greater community. Safety and student engagement are supported on a number of levels through restorative practice. Youth give back to the school while at the same time restorative practice demonstrates the school's commitment to the youth. This service assists the staff to create emotionally safe spaces for people to learn how to communicate effectively, to resolve conflict in a healthy manner, to identify the sources of conflict so they can work toward change, and how to build relationships that will aid the growth, vitality and success of the individual and the community. 

How:
Workshops, training and mentoring:

• Alternatives to Suspension - Creating a Peaceful Community
• School and District Implementation
• Collaborative Strategic Planning
• Community Building Circles
• Peacekeeping Circles (specific to conflict or harm)
• Creating a Restorative Culture (shift mind-set): one to three-day training or in-service
• Conflict Management and Problem Solving for staff and students
• School-Based Meditation
• Creating a Problem-Solving Classroom
• Community Panels

Time:
Customized from 3 hours to 3 day on-site training, on-going mentoring and modeling