2024 CDE Fall Conference: Creating a Landscape of Wellbeing and Belonging

Schools across Colorado are implementing Restorative Practices to foster a sense of belonging by building relationships and addressing harm caused using a relational approach to behavior. RP implementation should include developing a system of accountability and support for both educators and learners, creating processes for continuous learning/feedback/self-reflection, and understanding both the proactive and responsive practices. During this session we will discuss the importance of whole school implementation of restorative practices in three areas including RP Infrastructure, RP Capacity-building & RP Tiers of Support.

Session Objectives:

1. Learn about the purpose and essential elements of whole school RP implementation
2. Identify indicators of the RP implementation that are already in place in your school/district and opportunities for growth.
3. Access information and resources to support whole school RP implementation

ADHD kids and adults usually have a deep sense of self hatred. Everyone around them from teachers to parents to friends seem to point out their weaknesses in frustration, anger, and sometimes while making fun of them. There are so many ADHD kids that don't feel they belong. This extends to ADHD Teachers and other staff. Being able to see ADHD kids and adults for who they are and what they can add to the school can increase school belongingness in immeasurable ways. We will be talking about ways to support these wonderful people.

Session Objectives:

1) Understanding what happens inside the mind of ADHDers
2) Understanding ways to support them and help them feel included
3) Understanding ways to help staff support these kids and work with these adults

Participants will be introduced to the concept of Educational Journey Mapping as a student and family driven assessment protocol that can build relationships and identify critical barriers to educational success that can be addressed directly at school or through wrap-around services. Having been piloted through a CO Attorney General Office Education and Innovation Grant with justice-engaged students, educational journey mapping is being expanded to additional school settings to identify and address root causes of chronic absenteeism. Join the workshop to test out the methodology yourself and consider how to develop a tool and a process that speaks to attendance barriers in your school or district.

Session Objectives:

Participants will:
1) Leave with an understanding of educational journey mapping as an evidence-based practice to address chronic absenteeism,
2) Possess a greater understanding of student and family perspectives related to common elements and barriers in the educational trajectory of their children,
3) Be prepared to apply your learning to increase student and family belonging.

Join us for 'Beyond Punishment: Shaping Success and Culture with Restorative Discipline,' a presentation that redefines disciplinary approaches in educational settings. Participants will learn best practices for restorative discipline and discover the power of data from discipline profile reports to enhance school climate and discipline practices. We will also explore the foundational philosophies behind a restorative mindset, providing attendees with the best practices needed to foster a supportive and progressive educational environment.

Session Objectives:

• Understand the Use of Data in Discipline: Participants will learn about the data available within profile reports and explore ways to use this data to make informed decisions that improve climate and discipline practices.
• Learn Best Practices for Restorative Discipline:
• Acquire knowledge on the best practices in restorative discipline to effectively implement these strategies and enhance the overall educational environment without direct comparisons to punitive methods.

Poetry is more than the literary design to comply to a set of rules or poetic styles. It is undeniably the outpouring of the individual. When participants of poetry have the opportunity to elevate their voice, inevitably there is a stronger sense of self. In addition, communication skills increase allowing the participant of poetry to experience higher levels of positive social interactions. There is a significant amount of data/research that highlights the benefits/positive impact of SEL within poetry. If this is the case, we should see evidence of intentional poetry throughout schools. This presentation combines various poetic styles and music activities to promote cultivate equity, SEL, culturally responsive practices and leadership skills.

Session Objectives:

• The participant will learn poetry strategies to promote SEL. 
• The participant will write a poem implementing poetic techniques. 
• The participant will review research on SEL within poetry and develop an action plan to best support students' interests/areas of support.