Restorative Justice at MITA MS (modified from GTA Wellness Plan, 2023)

MITA MS strengthens the growth mindset of all individual students to achieve academic, behavioral, and social-emotional wellness.  The tools in preparation for life during and after secondary education are found in the restorative practices MITA MS employs upon all stakeholders of students, families, staff, faculty, and administrators.  

With every school, public or nonpublic, differences of opinion and/or beliefs based on background and/or life experiences may translate to behavior that commands strengthening.  Some of our students who engage in challenging behavior, physical and/or verbal indifferences, may need more help in promoting their strengths through our restorative practices.  Some of you may have heard your students talk about “circles” or “RJ circles” when emotions are high and the energy to release conflicts with another.  Restorative Justice Circles, or as we refer to it as RJ Circles, build community, establish trust, and create a shared-goal for increasing safety on our campuses.  

Restorative circles can be used along a spectrum from proactive relationship building to responses to more serious instances of harm. The circle should be facilitated by someone who was not involved in the conflict, so that they can remain more neutral. This can be a teacher, a staff member, or, in some cases, a student who is trained in peer-to-peer circles.

More than half of our time is spent supporting students in RJ Circles, most of whom ask to participate in this community building strategy to reestablish a culture of safety, trust, and respect for one another’s differences.   In addition, some of our students who present challenges in their spaces and/or with others participate in campus-wide community service in maintaining a clean and presentable learning environment for all.

While we encourage students to participate in RJ Circles, the school also prescribes its employees and fellow community members of families to participate in RJ Circles at every opportunity.  

When are RJ Circles used?

• Schoolwide (i.e. classroom, grade level, etc.)
  • Bullying (i.e. direct/in-direct, in-person/cyber)
• Peer-to-peer conflict (individual and/or group)
  • Verbal/nonverbal altercation(s)
• Teacher-to-Student conflict
  • Classroom disruption, mistrust, etc.
• Caregiver-to-Caregiver (e.g. when 2 students engage in unsafe behavior)
• Staff/Faculty-to-Caregiver 
  • Misalignment of beliefs, expectations, etc.  
• Staff/Faculty-to-Staff/Faculty
• Staff/Faculty-to-Administrator(s)
• Administrator(s)-to-Administrator(s)

What if I choose not to participate in an RJ Circle?

• While RJ Circles are not mandatory, it is at the forefront of intervention for community building to re-establish civility.  As a school of choice, we encourage active participation when invited.   

What does an RJ Circle look like?

• Moderator: May be a student leader, administrator, teacher leader, etc. 
• Circle Time: All participants sit in a circle to ensure all are seen/heard
• Establish Norms:  Group establishes rules for expectations, hopes, wishes, and outcome goal(s) (i.e. respect, trust, honesty, confidentiality, etc.)
• Talking item: Depending on the participants, an item (e.g. talking stick) may be used to take turns speaking 
• Closure: Re-establish norms

What are other types of restorative practices?

• Apology letters 
• Community service 
  • Giving back to the campus through acts of service (i.e. campus beautification, clean-up, set-up, etc.)
• Classroom supports
  • Helping tasks
• Leadership role(s)
  • Active participation with Leadership students, supporting peers, etc. 
• Reflection Assignments 
  • Written reflection of impact on the self, others, and/or community