The aim of Restorative Practices in Littleton Public Schools is to develop community and to manage conflict and tensions by repairing harm and building relationships.
Restorative Practices are based on principles and processes that emphasize the importance of positive relationships as central to building community and involve processes that restore relationships when conflict or harm has occurred.
LPS promotes a Restorative Justice approach when possible to resolve conflict and address specific discipline issues. Restorative Justice (also known as Restorative Practices) is a philosophy in which problems are viewed as learning opportunities. Emphasis is placed on building the capacity of students (and educators) to respond to wrongdoing and conflict in a positive manner by focusing on the problem rather than the person. This change in focus ensures the dignity of each person is respected. A restorative approach to conflict or wrongdoing consists of three key questions:
1. What happened?
2. Who has been affected?
3. What can be done to repair the harm?
Restorative Practice provides an opportunity for students to hear how their actions affect others. Those who were harmed get to talk about how the actions of others affect them and are given an opportunity to ask questions. All of the people involved in the incident get a chance to participate in plans to repair the harm. (The use of Restorative Justice may not necessarily replace other school consequences.)
To find out more about the use of Restorative Justice in your child’s school, contact a school administrator or your child’s assigned Counselor, Social Worker, or Psychologist.
You can also contact Restorative Justice Facilitator- Shannon Kershaw (303) 347-4743
