Woodside School District

RESTORATIVE PRACTICES

We are excited to share our new infographic: Woodside's Restorative Practices, Rooted in Community. Following two years of extensive staff training, our Whole Child Committee believes that sharing this information with our families is an important next step. Integrating Restorative Practices is a natural extension of our relationship-based school culture, helping us to raise kind, problem-solving students. We want to be clear that this approach does not mean "no consequences." Instead, restorative practices emphasize active accountability. This means students must understand the impact of their actions and take steps to repair the harm caused, a process embedded within our consequences. For severe or pervasive behaviors, we will continue to utilize our higher-level supports, such as office referrals and traditional discipline. You are our essential partners in this work. Please review the attached infographic for simple ways to support a positive school climate at home, such as using shared language (like "impact" and "repairing harm") and keeping open lines of communication.

• “Ripple Effect” – a quick lesson for upper school students that explores the positive and negative ripple effects of our actions.
• “Actions of Belonging” – a lesson for lower school students that invites them to brainstorm how their actions help shape a culture of belonging.

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Check out the new books in the digital library All of the books are available in our school library if you prefer to read them aloud.

Here is a link to lessons about respect in the digital library. "Oh, You're Here!" looked like a winner! Maybe we use this lesson/game at the next holiday party? We can put it in between trivia rounds? 

 

As we did last year, we are bringing back the optional postcard activity as a way to celebrate students' respectful and positive actions.  Look for stacks of postcards in two locations:

Each postcard features Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s quote: "I look to a day when people will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.”  The card continues with the prompt: "You showed the content of your character by..."  This is an opportunity to acknowledge students for their respectful and kind behaviors. Simply fill in a sentence or two describing what you observed, such as: "You showed the content of your character by helping your friend to the office when they fell." Write the student's name on the front of the card and leave it in the office. 

 

Principal Hurley is offering to visit classrooms to read The Paper Kingdom by Helena Ku Rhee again. This is a beautifully illustrated story that emphasizes themes of respect, kindness, and understanding. A sign up sheet for this is to come. 

 

Mark your calendars for a quick ALL-SCHOOL CLEAN UP on 2/13 and 2/27 at the beginning of 7th period (1:43) This should take approximately 15 minutes. Kids will be showing respect (and love) for their school by partnering with grade levels to clean up a section of the campus. Prizes will be awarded for effort, kindness, and clean spaces! Thank you for supporting the collective effort to foster a culture of respect and pride for our school. Please see the map to view your area and grade level partners. Gloves and trash bags will be provided. February Campus Cleanup Map

 

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This National Gratitude Month, we share our gratitude for all our educators, school staff, and families who are working tirelessly to support students this year.  Showing gratitude is more than just saying “thank you.” Research has shown that practicing gratitude enhances our moods, decreases stress, and improves our health and well-being. Spend time this month sharing your gratitude by keeping a gratitude journal, writing thank you notes, or giving back to your community.

The Whole Child committee is encouraging our students and staff to celebrate this month in several ways.

• Leaves for the Gratitude Tree. Please have students write a message or gratitude on the leaves and hang them on the gratitude trees outside the office.
  
  
• Samaritan House Food Drive
  
  
•  Potluck lunch, which will be on Wednesday, November 19th. 
  
  
• Digital Library of gratitude themed books
  
  
• SEL Lessons Wayfinder
  • Grades 1- 2 Gratitude Jar
  • Grades 3 - 8 Letters of Gratitude
  • https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1S4qnzpYcGb_VfrLVml8tzLvgRNZirLtvygC5XhAPDTE/edit?usp=sharing
    
    
• Gratitude letter writing templates:
  • https://drive.google.com/file/d/1CN83kRzNso7RZAnM4Rf9AExjnPG8xLPX/view?usp=sharing