PAWS
Linda Campbell started the Peace and Wellness Spot (PAWS) at Joe Shoemaker in 2016.
In PAWS we use restorative language and restorative practices to help students (and occasionally adults too!) heal harm that was caused by conflict and restore the relationship between people involved in the conflict. Restorative Justice is a way to help students LEARN from their mistakes rather than being punished for them. Historically our culture has relied on punishment to change behavior in schools, families, adult relationships, work settings and even between countries. We continue to rely on punishment despite very little evidence to support the notion that it results in changed behavior.
In PAWS we do four things:
- Restorative Justice Circles: PAWS volunteers lead RJ circles — a facilitated conversation where those involved in the conflict come together to take responsibility for their part of the conflict and come to agreement to make sure it doesn’t happen again.
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Social Emotional Learning lessons: Students need to learn social and emotional skills just as they need to learn to read and write. They will be more successful academically when they know how to interact appropriately with teachers and classmates. In an SEL lesson a student works with one volunteer on a specific issue they are struggling with.
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Peace Circles: People have come together in circles throughout time to solve community problems and reaffirm what they value. At Shoemaker, classrooms are called, “Crews.” PAWS volunteers visit Crews to lead Peace Circles on specific topics, as needed.
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Cool-downs: When kids get “triggered” by a peer, teacher or something in the classroom they no longer can focus on their learning. PAWS has many cool-down strategies to help students calm down so they can return to the classroom ready to learn.
