Dear Parents,

LPS is using restorative practices, a philosophy in which problems are viewed as learning opportunities.  Emphasis is placed on building the capacity of students (and teachers) 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 uses positive discipline versus punitive discipline.  People who harm others are given an opportunity 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.

At Lenski, we are expanding our social emotional learning curriculum with the use of restorative practices. We will invite students to problem solve collaboratively with their teacher, dean, or mental health provider throughout the year, as needed to solve school conflicts. For more information please visit the district website at http://littletonpublicschools.net/content/discipline-restorative-justice.

Sincerely,

Dr. Jessica Bach Slattery