PUSD: Restorative Practices Help Students Connect, Cope with Conflict

PUSD principals and other educators participated in a multi-day Western Justice Center workshop on restorative practices this summer. Courtesy of the Western Justice Center

PUSD is bringing restorative practices to schools to help students learn to resolve conflict, strengthen relationships, deal with stress, and connect with their communities. Students in grades TK through 12 will get lessons in restorative practices and mediation, thanks to a new partnership between PUSD and the Pasadena-based Western Justice Center (WJC). Students will be given several tools to help them work on conflict management and mediation, such as: de-escalation techniques, empathetic listening, collaborative problem-solving, and nonviolent communication. The ultimate goal is to help teens and children feel safe, cared for, and connected. The partnership with the Western Justice Center includes parallel training for principals and other educators to support positive learning environments.

Pasadena Unified School District (PUSD), 351 S. Hudson Avenue, Pasadena, (626) 396-3600 or visit www.pusd.us.