Learning Opportunities

BUILDING POSITIVE SCHOOL CLIMATE: A RESTORATIVE FRAMEWORK APPROACH

Our goal at the International Institute for Restorative Practice: Canada (IIRP Canada) is to teach school administrators, educators, counselors, and support staff how to explicitly build positive school climate and culture using restorative practices — _the science of relationships and community. Restorative Practice has been implemented in schools across Canada, from urban to rural areas. We have found that sustainable implementation in schools is most effective when school and district administrators work alongside school staff to learn restorative practices and champion the effort.

 School wide implementation of restorative practices has been shown to:

• increase student connectedness and belonging;
• improve social/emotional development in students;
• create greater community and parent engagement;
• improve student attendance;
• increase high school completion rates;
• provide a context for understanding and valuing diversity; and
• decrease fights, bullying and suspensions.

 RESTORATIVE PRACTICES FOR EDUCATORS OUTLINE

Day One – Restorative Practice Framework is an approach to strengthen relationships and repair harm in a way that builds community. This workshop emphasizes proactive strategies for building strong relationships, engaging students, and addressing incidents of hurt/harm.

 Day Two – Using Circles Effectively provides an opportunity for educators and staff to develop skills to facilitate primarily community building circles and responsive circles to address everyday issues and conflicts.

*This workshop does not include teaching the skills required to facilitate a Restorative/Community Conference.

 Please note that this learning opportunity does not include lunch.  Participants are expected to bring their own lunch or go out for lunch within the 60 minute breaktime.