NEW:
Montclair Public Schools has been commended by the National Education Association for its Restorative Justice program and its commitment to improving school climate and culture. Read the letter from the NEA president. (11.30.23)
RESTORATIVE JUSTICE MONTCLAIR
Charge – Vision – Mission Statement
Charge
Nationally and in Montclair, Restorative Justice (RJ) was developed as a district-wide response to
suspension rates, the racial and special education disparities in suspensions and the high levels of
bullying in our schools. RJ is an approach to transforming school culture toward reparations and
relationships and away from punishment and suspension. Rather than isolate, punish, and separate a
child who is accused of wrongdoing, RJ is designed to build an environment and relationships of
inclusion, shared responsibility and accountability. RJ is an evidence-based intervention method
designed to incorporate students, staff, administrators, faculty and family—a method that will not be
successful when approached with superficial implementation. In order to generate the desired
outcomes with respect to bullying, suspension, school violence, and civic engagement, and to
provoke a rich climate change, the necessary conditions for effectiveness must include:
1. SUPPORT FROM THE TOP: Strong commitment from school and district leadership to
work through conflict, rather than to isolate and punish.
2. FULL SCHOOL INVOLVEMENT: Willingness to train staff and students on RJ circles and
strategies. For RJ to become a regular part of a school’s culture, it cannot be treated as a
supplemental program, but as a philosophy that permeates the values and policies of the
school, with demonstrated impact on reductions in bullying, suspensions and more civic
engagement within the school community.
3. VISIBILITY: The RJ facilitator needs to be onsite, working with a core team of faculty and
students, with significant face time with students in order to help foster a preventative,
inclusive culture. This facilitator has to be able to respond immediately to incident/crisis and
sustain communities of care and accountability in the aftermath of an incident.
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Vision
Restorative Justice Montclair (RJM) is guided by a philosophy that fosters social and emotional well-being, acceptance, empowerment and mutual respect for those who are impacted by and involved in
conflict.
RJM will build cultures and communities of response-ability, respect and reparation of relationships
where harm has occurred.
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Mission
Restorative Justice Montclair (RJM) is a collaboration of the Montclair Board of Education, the Montclair
Education Association and our Montclair community.
RJM seeks to cultivate an equitable environment where all individuals feel safe, included, heard and will
benefit from shared learning experiences. RJM will provide integrated methods to address conflict through
reflection, reconciliation and accountability where harm has occurred.
Restorative Justice Montclair - Curriculum Guide – July 2018
What Restorative Justice is Not Final.pdf