CO NNEC T I O N S Q UA R TE RLY W I N TE R 2 0 1 9
WELCOME
RESTORATIVE PRACTICES
T
he concept of community frequents the thoughts and self-descriptions of the typical
independent school, and for good reason. Community is often at the heart of a posi-
tive experience of our schools. Further, the look and feel of a school’s community can
be the distinction between it and its local competitors. But as many of us have experienced,
not all independent school communities are “good.” What is it that causes a community to
excel? Obviously, there is no one answer. This edition of Connections on restorative prac-
tices is a great tool in the creation of a positive community. The wisdom contained herein
is not simply for repairing a break in community, rather it is a tool that can be used to help
in the ongoing building of community.
One of the important points here is that a thriving community is like a puzzle made up of
many high functioning smaller communities—classroom, sports team, club, and home. A
great independent school community evolves through the constant care and attention to all
of the smaller parts. A key in these smaller groups becoming high functioning is the ongo-
ing work that allows people who feel different from the majority to feel comfortable being
authentic. Finally, restorative practices help us to see, in a genuine way, conflict or mistakes
not as failure, but as opportunity for learning and growth. l
Bob Mattingly, Executive Director of CSEE
Announcing a new online event
Preparing for the Election: Civil Dialogue in the School Community
February 4th & February 6th, 2020 • 4pm Eastern / 1pm Pacific
with Caroline Blackwell, Jack Creeden, Kristen Farrington, and Rob Munro
www.csee.org/event/election
CSEE Connections
Winter 2019
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