02.02.18
Principal's Corner:
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. Barbara DeSpain
B3:
In January we continued our weekly B3 rewards drawings. Weekly winners received their bracelets and had a group photo taken and displayed on the TV in the entrance.
Second Step:
A big thank-you to all Lenski families who continue to diligently complete and return the take-home activities which reinforce social-emotional skills and allow your students to tell you what they have learned in school.
- In Kindergarten we learned about social cues including how to identify "interested" feelings and "scared" feelings. How some feelings are comfortable and some are uncomfortable.
- In 1st grade we learned that feelings can change and that sometimes we do things we did not mean to do. If that happens it is important to take responsibility for our actions and apologize.
- In 2nd grade we are learning about how we feel when we are confident and that our feelings about a situation can change.
- In 3rd grade we learned about conflicting feelings and how different people can have different feelings in the same situation.
- In 4th grade we are learning how to manage anxious feelings and avoid jumping to conclusions.
- In 5th grade we have just begun discussions on how to solve friendship problems.
