Porter Academy of Arts and Sciences Restorative Practices

The purpose of this discipline policy is to use restorative practices to provide a structure to repair the harm that was done and restore relationships. At Porter Academy of Arts and Sciences, we strive to be Respectful, Thoughtful, Diligent, Honest, and Compassionate in the way we practice discipline.

Our vision for discipline at Porter Academy is that through restorative practices, our core values shine through in our students' actions and interactions.

Respectful: We foster a culture where students, staff, and families engage in open dialogue about behavior and its impact. Our discipline system is built on mutual respect and the understanding that every action has consequences.

Thoughtful: We guide students to reflect on their actions by asking why they may have behaved a certain way and how they can make amends, ensuring that discipline is an opportunity for growth rather than punishment.

Diligent: We consistently uphold our expectations for all students, even those who struggle with behavior. By remaining patient and persistent, we demonstrate the value of perseverance in character development.

Honest: We encourage transparency and accountability in discipline, helping students recognize their mistakes and take responsibility for making things right.

Compassionate: We discipline out of love and care, with the goal of guiding students toward making better choices. Our goal is to support and nurture students as they learn to navigate conflicts in a positive and constructive manner.

Restorative Practices

Restorative practices provide a framework for building a school community based on cooperation, mutual understanding, trust, and respect. When conflicts arise, these practices involve all impacted individuals in finding solutions that restore relationships and repair the harm done to the school community.*

(*Adapted from Restorative Solutions, Inc. and the Model Code on Education and Dignity by the Dignity in Schools Campaign.)

Progression for Addressing Behavioral Challenges

  1. Initial Discussion – The staff member has a conversation with the student or group of students about the behavior and how to remedy the situation.

  2. Family Communication – If the behavior persists, the staff member contacts the family to discuss the situation and work together on accommodations, modifications, or interventions.

  3. Personal Responsibility Plan (PRP) – If the behavior continues, the student, family, and an administrator collaborate to create a PRP to support the student and staff moving forward.

  4. Administrative Intervention – If necessary, the Head Educator and family work together to reinforce behavioral expectations and consequences.

  5. Serious Consequences Discussion – If the behavior escalates to a significant level, the Head Educator and family discuss next steps, including possible suspension or other disciplinary measures.

Potential Consequences

  • Restorative Actions: Students may be required to complete a task that helps them learn from their actions and restore good standing within the school community. Example: A student who disrupts the learning environment may assist with classroom organization or write a reflection on the impact of their behavior.

  • Loss of Free Time: For minor infractions, students may lose free time and use that period to work on a restorative practice.

  • In-School Reflection Time: For more serious offenses, students may spend time working individually on assignments while also participating in restorative discussions with a mentor or educator.

  • At-Home Reflection (Suspension): As a last resort, students who engage in severe misconduct that endangers or disrespects others may serve an at-home reflection period (suspension). A re-entry conference with family and administrators is required.

Schoolwide and Classroom Preventative Practices

Schoolwide:

  • Community-building initiatives (advisory groups, assemblies, student-led initiatives)

  • School-wide reinforcement of social-emotional learning (SEL) competencies

  • Active supervision and visible administration

  • Family partnerships and open communication

  • Counseling interventions and mentoring programs

Classroom:

  • Positive reinforcement systems (praise, appreciation, recognition)

  • Restorative community-building activities (circles, student-led discussions)

  • Clear expectations and student-developed classroom agreements

  • Daily check-ins and goal-setting opportunities

Porter Academy Restorative Response Matrix

Commitment to Restorative Discipline

Porter Academy is committed to fostering an environment where discipline is a tool for growth and learning. By engaging students in relevant instruction, encouraging positive relationships, and ensuring fair and restorative disciplinary practices, we aim to build a culture of accountability, empathy, and respect.

We recognize that student behavior is influenced by many factors, including trauma, disabilities, and cultural backgrounds. Our approach to discipline reflects an understanding of these influences while maintaining high standards of behavior and personal responsibility.

Through meaningful restorative practices, we provide students with the necessary guidance to learn from their mistakes and positively contribute to our school community.