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So proud of our 4/5 grade virtual learners today. They are in day four of building a new community after we had to re-roster all our classes for the reopening of our school.
A restorative practice thread...
A restorative practice thread...
During specialists, a couple students harmed another w/ some hurtful language and teasing. The hurt student logged off & didn't want to rejoin the community. Understandably so. The harm was especially painful b/c it cut to the core of his fledgling confidence as a learner. 2/x
After the class, the specialist (who is a sub and in only her 4th day of teaching this specialist class and is AWESOME!) immediately came to me and the online classroom teacher. We contacted families of both the hurt student and the ones who did the harm. 3/x
A repair of harm circle was facilitated at 1:30 today. The hurt student was not ready to be a part of it.
This is the key part of restorative practices some folks miss --> The hurt person may not be ready for restoration yet, and that is okay. 4/x
This is the key part of restorative practices some folks miss --> The hurt person may not be ready for restoration yet, and that is okay. 4/x
He was okay, though, w/ the rest of the class meeting. So we did along w/ the specialist teacher, classroom teacher & our RP coordinator.
The restorative circle that ensued was so powerful.
They were navigating hurt & healing in ways that so many adults are incapable of. 5/x
The restorative circle that ensued was so powerful.
They were navigating hurt & healing in ways that so many adults are incapable of. 5/x
They honored every RP process and norm we have worked on through the years.
The love, the desire to repair poured through 21 different computer screens from young people scattered throughout the metro. 6/x
The love, the desire to repair poured through 21 different computer screens from young people scattered throughout the metro. 6/x
They shared their own needs, their own hurt. Some passed saying it was too personal. Others shared pain in great detail.
The class then rallied to determine how the group is going to help the hurt student regain the trust that was broken & recognized that it will take time. 7/x
The class then rallied to determine how the group is going to help the hurt student regain the trust that was broken & recognized that it will take time. 7/x
One student dropped some profound knowledge on us for a 4th grader: It's like breaking glass. Saying sorry, might help but never really fixes it.
The pieces might not fit back together the right way. 8/x
The pieces might not fit back together the right way. 8/x
What really struck me about this restorative circle was that this particular group of kids have only been together on a few google meets over the past 4 days.
BUT
Some have been part of our Maxfield community for the past 4 years. 9/x
BUT
Some have been part of our Maxfield community for the past 4 years. 9/x
That's significant because it means they've been part of our four year efforts to normalize restorative practices within our school.
Our youth develop so much restorative muscle memory that not even a pandemic can touch it.
It embodies all that is good about Maxfield. 10/x
Our youth develop so much restorative muscle memory that not even a pandemic can touch it.
It embodies all that is good about Maxfield. 10/x
Maxfield's restorative journey has been perfectly imperfect. It is a never ending, often messy road.
I am more confident now than ever that our path is the right one. It is a path that carries us to justice, healing, and celebration.
It is the Maxfield way. 11/11
I am more confident now than ever that our path is the right one. It is a path that carries us to justice, healing, and celebration.
It is the Maxfield way. 11/11
