PPOS students mediate conflicts, build community

After months of training on the procedures and expectations for facilitating conflict, this year’s Restorative Practices Student Board at Pagosa Peak Open School has begun repairing relationships between students when issues arise.

Fifth-grader Elliot facilitated his first conflict between two kindergartners Wednesday.

“I have fun in this role,” Elliot said, recounting the discussions he had with the two children who, after meeting with Elliot, decided to work on being good friends. Elliot helped the two talk through their recess issues, apologize and make a plan to play together.

“They asked if they could come to me next time if they have problems, and I said ‘of course,'” he added.

Restorative Practices adds a layer to PPOS’s discipline policy, allowing individuals to take responsibility for their actions and work toward repairing relationships that were harmed. This is the first step, and allows students to identify solutions to problems with support, in place of being given an unrelated consequence around rule-breaking.

“It’s fun helping kids; and nice to know how to communicate and help others,” said eighth-grader Amelie Haas, who is in her third year as a Restorative Practice Student Board member.

The RPSB work goes beyond conflict resolution to include culture setting and conflict  prevention. These students have reviewed and advised on school policies such as the dress code, the technology use policy, and the controversial issues policy. They have done community service such as being classroom helpers, led all-school assemblies, created art around restorative practices topics, run circles to build community and connection, taught lessons around Restorative Practices to younger students, and wrote monthly updates on their work for the parent community.

“I see the effects of this work in the school,” PPOS Exceptional Student Services Director Katy Corbett said. “The other day when a young student was sad in the cafeteria during breakfast, two members of the student board checked on him, getting down on their level to ask questions and help. There was no hesitation. They approached him with kindness and sincere concern.”

The RPSB is made up of 10 middle school students who have interviewed for these positions and gone through their own training on Restorative Practices.

“Being a school that is dedicated to Restorative Practices means we encourage open dialog, vulnerability, and courage; as well as the opportunity to learn from mistakes,” said School Director Angela Reali-Crossland. “The student board has provided our students with a chance to have their voices heard at all levels of our work, as well as mitigate our use of punitive responses to issues that arise.”