{"id":49875,"date":"2022-07-07T10:51:39","date_gmt":"2022-07-07T14:51:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.easternmennonite.org\/?p=49875"},"modified":"2022-08-01T11:47:10","modified_gmt":"2022-08-01T15:47:10","slug":"restorative-justice-rj-at-ems","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.easternmennonite.org\/es\/2022\/07\/restorative-justice-rj-at-ems\/","title":{"rendered":"Restorative Justice \u201cRJ\u201d at EMS"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"PaulI am grateful for the 362 K-12 students who were part of our learning community during the 2021-22 school year. <\/em><\/p>\n

When that many students come together, there are inevitably times of conflict and behavior that cause harm to relationships. As teachers and administrators<\/em>, we hav<\/em>e a choice at times like this. We can choose a punitive response. Or, a restorative approach.<\/em><\/p>\n

We choose as a school to invest the time and energy it takes to use restorative practices when relationships are harmed. This work is not easy. We don\u2019t always get it right. But each day I see our teachers and principals take time to learn about RJ practices, model and teach Christ-like ways of addressing hurt between students and others. These lessons help us fulfill our mission to call students to faith in Jesus Christ and pursue compassionate service in the world. \u2014 Paul Leaman, head of school.<\/em><\/p>\n

RJ at EMS<\/h1>\n

Using restorative practices<\/strong> involves creating space for people to listen fully. Sometimes that is a conversation between two or more students, facilitated by a teacher, counselor, or principal. All parties involved agree to the process before starting.\u00a0In larger groups, a circle process provides the opportunity for everyone to speak and listen. The speaker holds a \u201ctalking piece,\u201d such as a stone or a ball, and passes it to the next person when they are done. There\u2019s always the option to pass.<\/p>\n

Eastern Mennonite Elementary School was founded in 2005 with an RJ lens woven into the fabric\u00a0of this new school culture. That mindset has gained momentum in our school, spreading into the \u201cDNA\u201d\u00a0of our middle and high school. Currently, restorative practices are gaining momentum not only at EMS, but in schools nationwide.<\/p>\n

Teachers Heidi Byler (grade 3), Bethany Gibbs (grade 4), and Erika Gascho (grade 5) created materials to explain restorative justice for school parents as part of an assignment in a Restorative Justice in Education class at Eastern Mennonite University.<\/p>\n

What does restorative mean?
\nIn students\u2019 words\u2026<\/p>\n