As part of our mission to create diverse, joyful, welcoming communities rooted in social justice and rigorous learning, Distinctive Schools is designing more equitable schools through an intentional shift away from traditional or punitive disciplinary measures. We are proud to practice Restorative Justice, a method of conflict resolution that values relationships as the cornerstone of each student’s educational journey. When issues arise, we believe in creating a safe space for diverse perspectives to be heard, paving the way for healing and growth.
Relationship building is at the heart of Distinctive Culture. When we say All Means All, we mean educating the whole child, including supporting students when they make mistakes. Mistakes are part of life, and our goal is to help students learn through them.
What is Restorative Justice?
We recognize that when harm occurs in our community, that harm must be repaired. It is important to us that students take accountability for their actions and search for solutions to move forward. Consequences are not personal, but they are personalized. The consequence must make sense to the student based on the action for it to be effective. Restorative practices are used in our schools to decrease disciplinary issues and disruptions and serve as an alternative to harmful, exclusionary practices such as suspension and expulsion.
Restorative Justice values relationships at the center of school and community life. When harm happens, these relationships create space for multiple perspectives to be heard in order to repair harm. We work to establish a strong foundation of trust, respect, and communication with our students.
You may be wondering, what exactly is Restorative Justice and what does it look like at Art in Motion?
We sat down with our School Social Worker, Chanell Denny for a few questions about Restorative Justice at our school.
MEET MS. DENNY, SCHOOL SOCIAL WORKER: What does a Social Worker do?
I am one of 2 school social workers at Art in Motion. I work primarily with our diverse learners, but I support so many of our students. It’s important to me to create a safe space for our entire student population!
PUTTING THEORY INTO PRACTICE: What does Restorative Justice look like in our classrooms day to day?
Students are much more receptive and open when approached with a restorative justice lens. This practice builds trust in our community, I am able to communicate honestly with students and take accountability myself, giving them space to do the same. I have seen students become much more willing to listen and come to me to ask for help.
We’re such a unique community, I’ve never seen anything like Art in Motion. It feels great to be in a space where our kids are able to express themselves creatively. As we continue to grow, AIM will continue to be a space for students to be their most authentic selves.
Read more about Restorative Practices here. We are so grateful to the incredible student support team at Art In Motion for their commitment to restorative practices. We thank you for the care you bring to our schools, students, and communities every day!