Restorative Practices

Initiative

Restorative Practices combine the proactive community-building efforts with restorative justice. Restorative justice is a theory of justice that focuses on mediation and agreement rather than punishment. The initiative is based on respect, responsibility, relationship-building, and relationship-repairing.

Underlying Premise

The underlying premise is that people are happier, cooperative, productive and likely to make positive changes when those in positions of authority do things with them, rather than to them or for them. This also includes understanding situations that cause harm to others and how to repair the broken relationships after harm. Systems are in place that bring all parties of a negative incident into an inclusive process which includes responsibility taking, listening, feeling the impact of their actions, determining what needs to happen to make things as right as possible, and following through with the agreed-upon follow up steps.

Mission & Purpose

WNESU’s Restorative Practices (R.P.) team expands the district outreach to students, families, and community by building and restoring connections.

The R.P. team empowers students, families and faculty to promote student success guided by a trauma informed, social emotional and restorative justice lens.

We are dedicated to helping students and families feel welcomed to their school.

The R.P. team is here to support students learn and grow through challenges, while fostering an environment of repair.

Why Restorative Practices?

To support students entering our schools affected by trauma:

examples: abuse, neglect, poverty, substance abuse, addiction, violence, homelessness

Curb the many forms of disruptions of the educational environment:

Fights, Bullying, Harassment, Disrespect, Insubordination, Weapons, Drugs & Alcohol

Missed structured classroom time

Suspensions, Detention

Establish fair & consistent discipline process district-wide

Equity

Restorative Practices increases student’s ability to learn

neural plasticity

The Restorative Circle was embraced by my second grade students as they respectfully and thoughtfully answered questions, and shared what about friendships could be tricky for them. It was a beautiful and calming process where everyone at the circle felt heard from start to finish.

Judy V • Teacher at Central Elementary

RP is about repairing relationships and building communities in the best way possible.

William McHugh • Bellows Falls Middle School

After the “Buddy Bench” was discussed at Circle and how people feel left out at recess: “I didn’t want to get off the swing, but when I saw (her) sitting on the bench I thought “What’s the RIGHT thing to do?”

2nd Grader • Student at Central Elementary

RP is beneficial for students to learn conflict resolution skills, how to have crucial conversations which create an inclusive and safe environment.

Rae Henley • Counselor at Bellows Falls Middle School