Family Engagement Pop-Ups:
Fostering Restorative School Communities

A group of educators, family members, and community partners participate in a group activity in a school library. RestorativeDC logo.

In September 2023, the DC Office of the State Superintendent of Education, in partnership with SchoolTalk’s RestorativeDC, hosted three pop-up events dedicated to empowering the D.C. school community through the principles of restorative justice and family engagement. At the pop-ups, participants focused on:

  • Healing and Community Building: Immersing in the powerful practice of restorative justice circles, fostering a collective sense of healing, family engagement, and unity among students, educators, families, and community partners.
  • Dialogue and Reflection: Engaging in thought-provoking conversations centered around the implementation and potential challenges of restorative justice within the educational landscape, by supporting educators with tools and resources to engage families and assisting families with creating restorative home life. These discussions illuminated diverse perspectives and facilitated a deeper understanding of the transformative impact of restorative practices in schools.
  • Resources and Networking: Accessing a wealth of resources to aid schools in successfully integrating restorative justice into their existing frameworks. Connecting with like-minded educators, school leaders, student support staff, fostering family engagement in the community to exchange insights, strategies, and best practices for cultivating positive school cultures.

Audience: This event was designed for a diverse range of participants, including school leaders, passionate educators, dedicated student support staff, enthusiastic family engagement community partners, and caring families.

Thumbnail Screenshot of Family Engagement Resources PadletFamily Engagement Resources Padlet

Looking for resources? Check out the Family Engagement Resources Padlet, which includes resources, activities, and notes from our Family Engagement Pop-Up sessions. The Padlet is organized into five main sections: General Resources, World Cafe Notes, Resource Table, RestorativeDC Resources, and Opportunities to Continue Learning.

 

Past Pop-Up Events

  • Roosevelt STAY – September 14, 2023  |  2001 10th St NW, Washington, DC 20001
  • Sojourner Truth Montessori School – September 21, 2023  |  1800 Perry St NE, Washington, DC 20018
  • SEED DC – September 28, 2023  |  4300 C Street SE, Washington, DC 20019

Family Engagement Pop-Up Event Map. Image: 5 stations along a winding path. Text: Take full advantage of all our Family Engagement Pop-Up Event has to offer. Get a sticker at each station to collect a Swagbag at the end. 1) Welcome (Check-In); 2) World Cafe (Discussion, Questions on Restorative Justice & Family Engagement; 3) Mini-Community-Building Circles (Every Half Hour); 4) Resource Table; 5) Closing Station (Evaluation, Swag Bag & Snacks).

Sponsored by the DC Office of the State Superintendent of Education

Logo - D.C. Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE)