We provide direct and indirect social work support to students to meet their Individualized Education Program goals and service minutes. We work with students to meet their goals in social emotional learning, self-monitoring, emotional regulation, social skill development, problem solving, and self-advocacy, as well as other goals.
Restorative practices focus on building community and relationships, healing wrongdoing, and creating spaces for accountability and safety. In schools, restorative practices can be used to build community, develop a sense of trust and belonging, and create a process to make things right when harm is done. Right Response can work with you to engage in restorative practices that make sense in your setting and meet the needs in your environment.
Restorative practices are a way of life for many indigenous communities throughout the world. With the deepest honor, we have to opportunity to share in and learn from these healing practices.
Peacemaking Circles are a structured restorative practice format for building community and solving problems. Participants sit in a circle and are led by two facilitators. Circles can be held to build classroom community and belonging, build social emotional skills, heal hurts, or restore positive climates. Facilitators lead participants through a series of questions developed to address the purpose of the circle, and each circle member is given equal opportunity to participate.
Peacemaking circles can be a beautiful way to bring healing to groups where even well intentioned actions have caused emotional or physical harm. Facilitators of Circles are called “Circle Keepers”. Right Response social workers who are trained Circle Keepers have kept Circles in many schools in Minneapolis and St. Paul.
The Minnesota Department of Education has been supporting restorative practices in area schools for almost two decades. More information about successes in Minnesota and around the country, as well as additional reasources, can be found here: https://education.mn.gov/MDE/dse/safe/prac/resprac/023444
Here are some examples of how Circles could be helpful in your school:
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Build trust and community within your staff with Staff Circles (find link to article on staff circles changing discipline outcomes)
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Resolve conflict following a physical altercation
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Restore classroom climate given bullying or other maladaptive patterns of behavior have been established
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Help students learn to honor differences and values that are represented in their classroom or school community
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Heal hurt caused by racism
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Build individual or group leadership and social emotional skills or qualities
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Discuss a difficult topic