Schools today are faced with numerous challenges. Teachers and administrators alike are tasked with creating and maintaining a positive and inclusive school culture, teaching to a diverse student body, managing fear and physical safety, and proactively addressing discipline measures.....in addition to the actual teaching of subjects.

 

Many schools are implementing restorative practices as a means of empowering students to problem solve, build trust and community, and teach effective emotion management and communication skills.

​

Collective Voices currently works in the capacity of a trainer, mentor, and consultant with The Muckleshoot Tribal School and The Tulalip Heritage School. Restorative practices (RP) are a significant response
to a disconnected society. Healthy relationships, characterized by attachment and belonging, are a critical element for well-being. RP emphasizes people’s connectedness and interdependence on one another.

 

When used in a school setting, they are referred to as “school wide restorative practices” (SWRP) and are not a “program” per se but instead are a framework that includes: a philosophy, a set of values,
and a radically transformational way of being in the world and interacting with others. SWRP include processes for building trust, safety, community, and accountability, as well as processes that can

be used to respond to conflict, violence, harm, grief, loss, transition,
and change, and to promote healing, reparation, and restoration. 

​

The most common process used in restorative practices are Peacemaking Circles. There are many reasons as to why a school would incorporate restorative practices and several “tiers” of Peacemaking Circles: improved retention, less staff and student conflicts that are unresolved, a better relational ecology, increased academics, to name a few. 

​

SWRP considers a school’s “relational ecology” – how do people in the school community relate to one another on a daily basis and what are the quality of interactions throughout the entire school community? A school’s capacity to change is related to how healthy the “living system” of relationships is. SWRP can change a school’s ecology and therefore can promote sustainable change

​

In both schools, Collective Voices’ work supports a strategic implementation of Peacemaking Circles throughout the entire school community (some Circles are focused on building community and connect ion while others are used to as a response to conflict, violence, grief, etc.). Over time, a restorative school can increase everyone’s sense of safety, feelings of belonging, and beliefs that they are significant to their school community

​

Restorative approaches in schools shift from punitive measures and offer a method to strengthen relationships, increase individual accountability, and support community healing. Instead of focusing solely on punishment, these practices prioritize repairing harm, understanding the impact of one’s actions on others, and reintegrating students, which improves school climate, reduces suspensions, and promotes equity.