Restorative Justice Program

Welcome to the Restorative Justice Program!

The Restorative Justice Program is a powerful tool for our students to combat negativity and conflict in their lives. It promotes healthy relationships, allows for reparative and constructive behavior reflection and correction, and allows for an empathetic and respectful classroom environment.

The fundamental premise of Restorative Justice Practices (RJP) is that “human beings are happier, more cooperative and productive, and more likely to make positive changes in their behavior when people in positions of authority do things with them, rather than to them or for them.” There are two Restorative Justice Practices tiers – “The Circle” which is the first step intervention piece and “The Conference”, or Alternative to Suspension, which is a non-punitive philosophical approach to discipline which repairs harm done, teaches accountability for offenses and offers strategies on how to move forward. 

San Mateo Union High School District integrated Restorative Justice Program circles into our classes in 2013-2014, and the results have been extraordinary.

For more information regarding Restorative Justice Practices trainings, site trainings, facilitation of circles and or conferences or simply a conversation, please contact Bettina Graf, Restorative Justice Practices Coordinator, at bgraf@smuhsd.org