Growing Restorative Champions in Middle School Restorative Justice

Growing Restorative Champions in Middle School Restorative Justice League Community is Priority

Welcome! Introductions Overview ● ● ● How the Restorative Justice League Came Together What We do What We Have Learned What We Wish We’d Known The Secrets to RJL Questions?

How RJL Came Together. . . Recruitment “Applying for Restorative Justice League was my greatest success so far this year, it made me get outside my comfort zone and talk to people I wouldn’t normally talk to. ” -RJL Member ● Grade-Level Presentations ● Application Accessibility ● New Student Recruitment Process ● Importance of Self-Selection

How RJL Came Together. . . Application Process “I would like to join the Restorative Justice League because I know how it feels when you have nobody to talk to and I would like to support others. It sounds fun and I like to make others’ days positive and happy. ” -RJL Member ● ● Written Application: Is the student willing to make the effort? Teacher Recommendations: Does the young person have at least one strong relationship with an adult in the building? Essay Questions: Why does this young person want to be part of RJL? What is their understanding of restorative justice practices? Interview: Can this young person make the necessary commitments? What do they want to learn?

How RJL Came Together. . . Training ● Day One: Circles Overview/Community Building ● Day Two: Restorative Practices/ Skill Building ● Day Three: Student Driven/ Planning & Practice

How RJL Came Together. . . Structure “When you share your feelings they’re not bottled up as much and the problem nearly resolves itself” -RJL Member ● Before School Starts ○ Youth-Led Planning ○ Physical Presence in the School Building ○ Role in Welcoming New Students ● During the School Year ○ Learning Family ○ Weekly Meetings ■ Check Ins ■ Training ■ RJ Challenges ■ Wild Card

What we do! We help our school community. We keep circles We spread kindness We challenge our peers/school community We connect with each other as an RJL family We stay on top of our academics We have messed up, but we own our choices and grow from them We participate in community events and fundraisers. We welcome new students We build confidence internally and externally We made a Circle training video for DPS

What we have learned ● Restorative practices questions/Resolve conflict ● How to problem solve ● Keep circle ● Jackal/giraffe language ● How important it is for RJL to be student-led ● How important it is to get to know each other so we can learn together ● Public speaking ● How to contribute original thoughts

What we wished we’d known ● ● ● ● No expectations/assumptions What we’re getting into Missing classes Lots of public speaking We would have to be courageous Not every circle will work and that’s ok Personal transformation/growth You gain a family/friends

The Secrets to RJL ● ● ● Scripts for circles are super helpful Snacks Student-led is more impactful Keep track of what works Have fun!

Questions?