Restorative School Practices of Maine Spring 2012 Training Workshops

Introduction to Restorative School Practices

March 16, 2012, New Gloucester (The Community School at Opportunity Farm), 8:30-3:30, $125 per person
Registration deadline February 24

This workshop, developed by the International Institute of Restorative Practices, introduces participants to restorative school practices that have proven effective and sustainable.  The workshop format will include presentations, circles, discussion and video of restorative school practices in action.

Participants will:

• Understand the fundamental hypothesis of Restorative Practices, its rationale, and its empirical basis;
• Understand the importance of Fair Process in implementing restorative practices;
• Identify the range of restorative responses and how these practices can be used in their schools;
• Be introduced to the Circle process and the Restorative Questions; and
• Learn how to build restorative school communities.

SIGN UP HERE

Using Circles Effectively

March 30, 2012, New Gloucester (The Community School at Opportunity Farm), 8:30-3:30, $125 per person
Registration deadline March 9

This workshop, developed by the International Institute of Restorative Practices, introduces participants to a key Restorative Practice, using Circles both proactively and responsively in school communities. The workshop will include presentations, videos of actual Circles with students in school, participating in Circles, and practice planning Circles in response to a variety of school scenarios.

Participants will:

• Understand the basic premise of Restorative Practices and the range of restorative responses available in a school setting;
• Understand the purpose and uses of Circles in school, including proactive and responsive Circles with students, and teacher Circles.
• Using Circle scenarios, create questions for classroom Circles in response to a variety of situations; and
• Practice a restorative problem-solving Circle in a fishbowl format.

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Restorative Conference Facilitator Training

April 5 & 6, 2012, New Gloucester ((The Community School at Opportunity Farm), 2 days, 8:30-3:30 each day, $240 per person
Registration deadline March 15
Requires 6 hours of previous training

Restorative Conferences are conducted at the highest intervention level, involving the student, their family, and the people who have been impacted when a difficult behavior or an egregious act have occurred. Through the conference process the person causing the harm is required to take responsibility and be accountable for their behavior. When properly planned, this process gives all parties an opportunity to talk about what happened and together determine an agreement for the future.

Building on the Restorative School Practices philosophy, this two-day Restorative Conference Facilitator Training will provide opportunities for attendees to gain a greater understanding of restorative discipline, with a specific focus on when to use the restorative conference process, preparing for a conference, running a conference and conference follow-up. This will be a participatory workshop involving role-play facilitation practice, discussion, and forums for sharing experiences and ideas for implementation.

Participants will:

• Understand the progression of restorative discipline, including which disciplinary behaviors call for a restorative conference;
• Gain a greater understanding of the role of the facilitator in a restorative conference;
• Understand the importance of preparation and follow-up for a successful conference;
• Be prepared to facilitate restorative conferences in their schools; and
• Have access to a network of other interested educators as resources beyond the workshop.

SIGN UP HERE

Restorative School Practices Circle Facilitation Training

April 27, 2012, Belfast (Hutchinson Center, UMaine), 8:30-3:30, $125 per person
Registration deadline April 6
Requires 6 hours of previous training

Come and learn the essential skills for facilitating problem-solving and resolution circles (an alternative to traditional detention). This workshop will review how and when to use these different circles when working with students, staff and families.  Attendees will participate in role-plays of realistic scenarios of the different types of circles. Opportunities to discuss and share your experiences and ideas will be provided. Integrating the use of circles as an RTI-B intervention will be discussed.

Participants will:

• Understand the different types of circles used in schools;
• Gain greater understanding of the role of the facilitator in a problem-solving circle and resolution circle;
• Understand the preparation needs for each type of circle; and
• Have access to a network of other interested educators as resources beyond the workshop

SIGN UP HERE

Implementing Restorative Practices in a Whole-School Approach -- for school teams^*

May 4, 2012, New Gloucester (The Community School at Opportunity Farm), 8:30-3:30, $125 per person
Registration deadline April 13

This workshop is specifically designed for school teams from schools that are in the process of implementing restorative practices.  The workshop will include presentation, discussion and time for team planning.

Participants will learn:

• Recommended stages of implementation;
• How to build effective leadership teams;
• How to deal with resistance and encourage staff buy-in; and
• Sustaining the initiative over the long-term.

* Prerequisites:  For school teams of 4–6 members only; at least half of the team members have taken a Restorative School Practices workshop or institute previously. Including an administrator on the team is highly recommended!

SIGN UP HERE

Introduction to Restorative School Practices

May 18, 2012, UMaine Presque Isle, 8:30-3:30, $125 per person
Registration deadline April 27

This workshop introduces participants to restorative school practices that have proven effective and sustainable.  The workshop format will include presentations, circles, discussion and video of restorative school practices in action.

Participants will:

• Understand the fundamental hypothesis of Restorative Practices, its rationale, and its empirical basis;
• Understand the importance of Fair Process in implementing restorative practices;
• Identify the range of restorative responses and how these practices can be used in their schools;
• Be introduced to the Circle process and the Restorative Questions; and
• Learn how to build restorative school communities.

SIGN UP HERE