RESTORATIVE JUSTICE CENTER
Student voice and peer support are key elements to maintaining a positive school community and creating a more restorative approach for all campus discipline issues. Integrated with our Restorative Practices Experience, we assist schools in creating unique, student-led Restorative Justice Centers (RJC) that help change the traditional discipline model to a more restorative approach. We aim to make the RJC the heart of the school community and build more equitable systems of support for students and staff.
The RJC is a Tier 1 intervention with Tier 2 and 3 components that becomes an integral part of the tiered support system. The Center is a space for students to “cool down,” think about their actions, and repair the harm they may have caused. Working in concert with the staff and administration, Student Advocates provide restorative systems to help their peers lose less instructional time and have an opportunity to reflect on their actions.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Using our Implementation Guide, we partner with each school/district to select the critical components of a successful Restorative Justice Center (Student Advocates, adult Coordinators, a supportive Implementation Team, and an appropriate space to house the RJC). Once ready, educational partners go through the following process:
Implementation Team Training (in-person/virtual | two 3-hour sessions)
The Implementation Team, composed of stakeholders from all areas of the school community, delves into the “why, what, and how” of the RJC. This training helps create an inclusive discipline flow chart that highlights the services and supports of the RJC.
Student Advocate Training (in-person | 1 day (6 hours)/annually)
Student Advocates are chosen to reflect the demographics of the school community and receive full Restorative Practices training.
Staff Training (in-person/virtual | 3 hours)
The entire staff participates in a training designed to bring awareness to the interventions and intricacies of the RJC and how to access support.
Leadership and Implementation Teams Coaching (in-person/virtual | three (3) 2-hour sessions)
Student Advocates are chosen to reflect the demographics of the school community and receive full Restorative Practices training.
RJC Coaching (in-person/virtual | 20 hours total)
Focused on improvement and systems, these sessions are designed to help Coordinators and Advocates continue to grow the RJC.
KEY BENEFITS
Provides proactive and inclusive ways to effectively address behavior and other complex school issues
Builds student leadership and voice to offer a supportive environment that improves learning
Includes a comprehensive Implementation Guide
Access to quarterly Professional Learning Communities with other districts and states
Strengthens relationships and builds a community of belonging while improving safety on campus
Offers alternatives to suspension and expulsion that focus on repairing harm and creating inclusion
Access to optional curriculum focused on topics relevant to student learning and community building
