Charlottesville City Schools

Restorative support is for students who have harmed others while encouraging them to take personal responsibility for their actions. It provides opportunities for dialogue between students (or staff) who have harmed others and those affected by the harms to talk about what happened and how to move forward.  This process encourages collaboration, healing, and reintegration back into the school community. This process is voluntary. Facilitators may ask questions like: 

• What happened? 

• Who was impacted? 

• What were you thinking at the time, and what have you thought about since? 

• How do we make things right?

While ideally we hope that students can eventually come together to talk and figure out a way to move forward, other options can be explored if students don't want to meet. 

Community Building Circles are a way for people, including students and families, to come together and talk in a safe, respectful way. Everyone has a chance to share their thoughts and listen to others, which helps everyone feel heard and understood.

For students, joining these circles helps them learn how to communicate better, listen, solve problems, and understand how others feel. It also helps students build stronger friendships and get to know their peers better, making it easier to work together and create a positive community. In these circles, students may even play games or do fun activities to build trust and strengthen their bond with each other.

By talking, listening, and having fun together, students create a sense of belonging where everyone feels supported. When they take part in these circles, they get better at listening, sharing their feelings, and solving problems together, which can make school a more positive place for everyone.