• Restorative Justice in Education

     
    Restorative Justice (in Education) is defined as "facilitating learning communities that nurture the capacity of people to engage with one another and their environment in a manner that supports and respects the inherent dignity and worth of all." (Source: Restorative Justice in Education by Evans and Vaandering, 2016)
     
     
    (from: Eastern Mennonnite University Restorative Justice Conference)
     
    The central belief of a Restorative Justice mindset is that people are worthy and relational. This is the foundational tenet of restorative justice in education.  
    These beliefs are rooted in values of respect, dignity, and mutual concern.  
     
    This belief and these values are practiced in three broad ways:
    1. Nurturing Healthy Relationships
    2. Creating Just and Equitable Learning Environments
    3. Repairing Harm and Transforming Conflict
    (from Building Positive Relationships Through Restorative Justice, a presentation by Kristen Woodward)
     
    Employing a Restorative Mindset is a paradigm shift. It is a way of being and a way of viewing the world, relationships, justice, and wrongdoing. Restorative practices represent what educators do in the learning environment to honor the worth and value of each member of the school community. SCORE Academy staff and students are continuously learning and growing through our engagement in restorative practices. 
     

    What do restorative practices look like at SCORE Academy for Reassigned Students?

    SCORE Academy will:

    • Develop and maintain positive, supportive, and partnering relationships with students and parents & guardians.
    • Orient students to SCORE Academy in a relational way that fosters strong, positive relationships and supports the students' personal well-being.
    • Provide personalized instruction to build trust and understanding.
    • Use restorative language in all communication with stakeholders, including students, staff, and parents & guardians.
    • Engage students in restorative circles to build community and nurture relationships.
    • Use the CASEL Competencies Framework to deliver Social & Emotional Learning (SEL) lessons to help students acquire and apply the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to develop healthy identities, manage emotions, achieve personal & collective goals, feel & show empathy for others, establish & maintain supportive relationships, and make responsible & caring decisions.
    • Collaborate with students, parents & guardians, and base school staff to assist reassigned students as they transition back to their base school, including offering students the opportunity to participate in restorative mediation, facilitative dialogue, and transition meetings.
    • Offer an elective course that focuses on the five R's of Restorative Practices: Relationships, Respect, Responsibility, Repair, Reintegration