• Restorative Practices...What Is It?

    The restorative approach is a set of guiding principles for the school community.  It is a shift from traditional rule-based, punitive discipline systems.  The main focus of Restorative Practices is to build, maintain, and if necessary, repair relationships among members of the school community. It is based on growth and deep learning, instead of compliance.  It helps to create a safe place where everyone is responsible for their actions, can resolve conflicts, build positive relationships, and repair any harm that has been done to the community and its members. Restorative Practices is about creating and maintaining social justice and humane relationships.

    The Circle process that we use today comes from the tradition of talking Circles that have been used by the Indigenous Peoples in North America.  These circles are more than just a technique, they are a way of life. They embody a philosophy, principles and values that apply in all aspects of life.