Professional Development: Using Restorative Practices to Connect with Students in the First Weeks of School

Building relationships, routines and resilience are an integral part of connecting with students during the first weeks of school. Restorative practices create spaces for balancing joy and celebration, as well as increasing restorative resilience when encountering pain, sadness and frustration in routine and proactive ways. Teachers, behavior and restorative justice staff, social workers, instructional coaches and deans will map out proactive processes that support community-building goals for establishing a positive environment at the beginning of the school year, and explore additional practices, such as support circles and transition processes to integrate students, staff and families into new routines.

Facilitated by: Mali Parke & Floyd N. Bronson, MA, MAHS

All professional development sessions use a trauma-informed approach and teach skills and practices that you can implement immediately. Visit RestorativeDC.org/events to explore all restorative justice programming, including additional summer institutes, PD topics, skills and planning sessions by Restorative DC in collaboration with OSSE. Participants will receive two professional learning units (PLUs) for full participation in each session. For questions, email [email protected].

We strive to host inclusive, accessible events that enable all individuals, including individuals with disabilities, to engage fully. Please indicate any reasonable accommodations that will allow you to participate in this virtual event at least 3-5 days prior to start. Email us at [email protected] with any questions.