Restorative Practices: "An emerging social science that studies how to strengthen relationships between individuals as well as social connections within communities. The purpose or restorative practices is to build healthy communities, increase social capital, decrease crime and antisocial behavior, repair harm and restore relationships (Reference: International Institute of Restorative Practices)." iirp.edu
Develop a coordinated approach for supporting students’ social and emotional learning across the school, classrooms, homes, and communities.
By making the time to build the relationships that allow learners to feel a sense of community- that they are “in this together”- teachers create a safer, more equitable environment where all students participate and achieve.
Social and emotional learning is essential to every child’s education.
While your team works to align school discipline policies to SEL, it’s important to ensure that all classrooms consistently reinforce a student-centered approach to discipline.
SEL is a powerful lever for creating caring, just, inclusive, and healthy communities that support all individuals in reaching their fullest potential.
An important part of building staff skills around SEL is modeling by school leaders. These strategies can provide ideas for administrators and leadership teams to build relationships and show staff they are cared for and appreciated.
Professional Learning Communities
Professional learning communities provide an important opportunity to integrate SEL into existing practices, work collaboratively on the goals of schoolwide SEL, and cultivate their own social and emotional competencies.
Establish a structured, ongoing process to collect, reflect on, and use implementation and outcome data to inform school-level decisions and drive improvements to SEL implementation.
Support staff in modeling SEL competencies, mindsets, and skills throughout the school community.
Align schoolwide systems, policies, programs, and practices to promote SEL for students.