As part of our mission to create diverse, joyful, welcoming communities rooted in social justice and rigorous learning, Distinctive Schools is designing more equitable schools through an intentional shift away from traditional or punitive disciplinary measures. We are proud to practice Restorative Justice, a method of conflict resolution that values relationships as the cornerstone of each student’s educational journey. When issues arise, we believe in creating a safe space for diverse perspectives to be heard, paving the way for healing and growth.
Relationship building is at the heart of Distinctive Culture. When we say All Means All, we mean educating the whole child, including supporting students when they make mistakes. Mistakes are part of life, and our goal is to help students learn through them.
What is Restorative Justice?
We recognize that when harm occurs in our community, that harm must be repaired. It is important to us that students take accountability for their actions and search for solutions to move forward. Consequences are not personal, but they are personalized. The consequence must make sense to the student based on the action for it to be effective. Restorative practices are used in our schools to decrease disciplinary issues and disruptions and serve as an alternative to harmful, exclusionary practices such as suspension and expulsion.
Restorative Justice values relationships at the center of school and community life. When harm happens, these relationships create space for multiple perspectives to be heard in order to repair harm. We work to establish a strong foundation of trust, respect, and communication with our students.
You may be wondering, what exactly is Restorative Justice and what does it look like at CICS Longwood Elementary?
We sat down with our CICS Longwood Elementary Dean, Ms. Taylor for a few questions about Restorative Justice at our school.
Read more about Restorative Practices here. We are so grateful to the incredible student support team at CICS Longwood for their commitment to restorative practices. We thank you for the care you bring to our schools, students, and communities every day!
MEET YOUR DEAN: What does a Dean do?
My role as a Dean is so rewarding, because I get the opportunity to positively influence and impact my students' growth – not only academically, but I focus on helping build their emotional intelligence as well. I am able to serve as a mentor to scholars. As a Dean, I find deep satisfaction in helping students overcome challenges and achieve their goals.
WHY WE CHOOSE RESTORATIVE JUSTICE: The theory.
Restorative Justice is an approach to discipline and conflict resolution. It focuses on repairing harm, building relationships, and fostering a sense of responsibility and accountability among students and the school community.
This works because it emphasizes open and honest communication. It encourages students involved in conflicts to engage in a dialogue, where they can express their feelings, needs, and perspectives while actively listening to others.
PUTTING THEORY INTO PRACTICE: What does Restorative Justice look like in our classrooms day to day?
In our classrooms, we see restorative conversations happening daily. We have an accountability ladder that gives our students a visual of where they are when they are not meeting the expectations. We have reflection sheets so students have the opportunity to think about their actions and make changes for the better. We also have peer mediation that happens so students can voice their concerns with one another in a respectful manner.
I want families to know that my number one priority is for every student to feel safe and heard. I want them to know that we are here for them and only want the best for each scholar. We are doing our best to help them learn and be successful. Every family should know that we believe anything is possible when we teach, love, and inspire.