Safe & Supportive Schools: Restorative Practices

Middle Schools Lead Implementation of Restorative Practices

Caring and equitable school communities provide conditions conducive to learning. This is a simpli ed way to describe the goal of restorative practices in education. Schools use this set of principles and practices, inspired by indigenous values, to build community, respond to con ict, and provide circles of support for students.

“After reviewing our discipline data, we determined that we would implement restorative practices at our middle schools rst. Due to the cost, training time, and support needed to implement the initiative with delity, we have to be strategic in determining the number of staff we train each year,” said Dr. Anna Stubble eld, deputy superintendent.

All middle school staff have received training in restorative practices. The district will train high school staff in the fall. Restorative practices complement the district’s ongoing work with socialemotional learning, Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports, and culturally responsive teaching.

“By building, maintaining, and restoring relationships across our school communities, we create environments that support the achievement and success of all students,” said Dr. Stubble eld.

Middle school parents had opportunities this spring to participate in a virtual restorative practices seminar. Parents learned how schools prioritize relationships, not just rules; and participated in a restorative talking circle.

Heartland Mediators Association (HMA) presented Liberty Memorial Central MS with its Scholastic Con ict Resolution Award for utilizing con ict resolution and peer mediation skills to provide an alternative dispute resolution experience for students. Principal Dr. Anne Hawks, teachers Cari Davis and Laura Leonard, and Assistant Principal Mike Gillman are pictured with HMA’s Volunteer of the Year Nancy Kelly and Jim Donovan, HMA president.

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