It has been a great three weeks of school as we start the 2017-2018 school year, and we have been busy. Students and teachers in every classroom have worked to create a positive classroom environment. One of the important characteristics to a healthy community is respect. Students are learning about how to respect one another. Students and teachers are also learning how to respect each other through Restorative Practices.
Restorative Practice includes strategies for helping students understand positive relationships. Having healthy relationships impacts our lives. Knowing how to respect others will have a positive effect in every aspect of our lives. Developing these skills through Restorative Circles is a large part of how we understand one another. Teachers hold Restorative Circle meetings or Class Meetings with students. During this time, the instruction centers around respect and understanding.
Students and teachers talk about how they are feeling. During these meetings, problems are solved. Students are able to learn how to have a positive relationship with others. They are able to connect with others and see how much they have in common with others. Restorative Circles also help students learn ways to react to different situations which helps to improve their social awareness.
Educating students is not always about Reading, Writing, and Math. We do so much more than that at Curtis Elementary. We care about kids! Staff members are charged with how to develop each student and help them be a positive citizen. Curtis Elementary staff is challenged with helping students understand how to work through conflict and restore relationships. That is how they will sustain healthy relationships throughout their lives. Curtis Elementary is challenged with helping to improve our society by teaching our students about how to develop positive relationships and changing lives one child at a time. Why do we do this? ...Because Kids!
