As part of our mission to create diverse, joyful, welcoming communities rooted in social justice and rigorous learning, Distinctive Schools is designing more equitable schools through an intentional shift away from traditional or punitive disciplinary measures. We are proud to practice Restorative Justice, a method of conflict resolution that values relationships as the cornerstone of each student’s educational journey. When issues arise, we believe in creating a safe space for diverse perspectives to be heard, paving the way for healing and growth.
Relationship building is at the heart of Distinctive Culture. When we say All Means All, we mean educating the whole child, including supporting students when they make mistakes. Mistakes are part of life, and our goal is to help students learn through them.
What is Restorative Justice?
We recognize that when harm occurs in our community, that harm must be repaired. It is important to us that students take accountability for their actions and search for solutions to move forward. Consequences are not personal, but they are personalized. The consequence must make sense to the student based on the action for it to be effective. Restorative practices are used in our schools to decrease disciplinary issues and disruptions and serve as an alternative to harmful, exclusionary practices such as suspension and expulsion.
Restorative Justice values relationships at the center of school and community life. When harm happens, these relationships create space for multiple perspectives to be heard in order to repair harm. We work to establish a strong foundation of trust, respect, and communication with our students.
You may be wondering, what exactly is Restorative Justice and what does it look like at PEC?
We sat down with our PEC Dean, Ms. Adams for a few questions about Restorative Justice at our school.
Read more about Restorative Practices here. We are so grateful to the incredible student support team at PEC for their commitment to restorative practices. We thank you for the care you bring to our schools, students, and communities every day!
MEET YOUR DEAN: What does a Dean do?
My role as Dean of Students is a pivotal role in fostering a positive and supportive school environment. I work to ensure that students feel safe and comfortable, and strive to create a positive learning environment that helps students succeed both academically and personally.
WHY WE CHOOSE RESTORATIVE JUSTICE: The theory.
Restorative justice to me is a philosophy and approach to addressing conflicts and harm. It places a strong emphasis on repairing, and focusing on the needs of those affected by an offense or wrongdoing.
The methodology of Restorative Justice works, and its effectiveness can be attributed to a combination of principles and practices that address the shortcomings of traditional punitive approaches. What makes it work is the focus on accountability and responsibility, empathy and understanding, conflict resolution, and community building.
PUTTING THEORY INTO PRACTICE: What does Restorative Justice look like in our classrooms day to day?
Implementing Restorative Justice practices in classrooms on a day-to-day basis involves creating a supportive and inclusive environment that fosters positive behavior, addresses conflicts constructively, and emphasizes the well-being of all students. In our classrooms, we focus on community-building circles, conflict resolution, and restorative conversations.
I would like families to know that our school community at Plymouth Educational Center is committed to education. We promote safety and well-being at school, we have engaged and caring staff, we strive for academic excellence, play an active part in the community, deeply value parental involvement, and we prepare students for the future they choose.