Restorative Justice
WISD Restorative Justice Vision
We consistently and inclusively invest in making relationships matter most in successful learning communities where the dignity, rights, and needs of all members are valued and respected. We are building a restorative community that is safe, supportive and conscious of injustice. When community is harmed, accountability involves collaborative communication, skills-building, and harm-healing to build trust and strengthen relationships.
Mission and Strategic Priorities
- Supporting adoption of restorative justice philosophy and practices throughout the Washtenaw Intermediate School District,
- Providing training and support for schools to regularly practice staff- and student-led circles for learning, community-building, and addressing conflict and misconduct using trauma-sensitive approaches,
- Hosting peer-mediation teams/councils that help address conflict and identify situations of harm that need to be addressed,
- Offering conflict coaching for members at all levels of the learning community,
- Hosting collaborative networks of practitioners who will engage and empower schools to adopt relationship-focused paradigm.
Restorative Practices Training Opportunities for Staff
Advanced Restorative Practices Training:
Compassionate Witnessing- January 23-24, 2024 - 8:30am-4:30pm
- SW CEU Credits Available
- SCECHs Available
Family Engagement & Empowerment- February 20-21, 2024 - 8:30-4:30pm
- You must complete the Introduction Course- Days 1 & 2 prior to attending this training.
- Credits pending
If you have not taken the Introduction course, days 1 and 2, and the Conferencing/Circles course, days 3 and 4 yet, please check the WISD LearningStream website to find course offerings coming up in the next school year.
Peers-Making-Peace
Strategic Initiative:
Hosting peer-mediation teams/councils that help address conflict and identify situations of harm that need to be addressed.
Resources to Support & Manage Peers Making Peace Operations in Schools:
Considerations and Commitments for Hosting a Peers-Making-Peace Team developed by P-M-P Trainers and advisors, Belinda Dulin and Amy McLoughlin.
Restorative Intervention Sample Log developed by Lauren Fardig-Diop of ACCE HS.
Sample Behavior Response Chart Used at ACCE HS shared by Lauren Fardig-Diop.
Circle Planning Template developed by Lauren Fardig-Diop of ACCE HS.
Sample Circle Centerpiece developed by Valencia Brooks and Lauren Fardig-Diop.
Example of Student Peer Mediators in Action MetWest High School students and advisor show us how they do circle in the Oakland (CA) Unified School District.
Resources for Education
Restorative Justice in Education:
Educators across the country are integrating the restorative justice paradigm into their learning communities and sharing their wisdom. This section features news articles, books, manuals, videos and websites showcasing their work and offering insights you might find useful. Take time to explore, download and apply their experience to your restorative justice journey.
Articles:
Articles on Restorative Justice in Schools
An Introduction to Restorative Practices
Books:
Manuals:
Various Restorative Justice in Schools Manuals
Videos:
Websites:
Training Handouts
Restorative Justice Training Handouts:
Elementary Student Restorative Thinking
Colorado High School Replaces Punishment with Talking Circles by the PBS NewsHour (YouTube)
Restorative Practices by Pinellas County Schools (YouTube)
Training Resources:
Webinars
Restorative Justice: What's It All About? (YouTube)
Restorative Justice: What Makes it Work? (YouTube)