At 9:37 a.m. each morning, there is a collective pause to the school day at Walnut Springs Middle School.
During the advisory period, students meet with teachers and staff members across the building — in classrooms, on the gym stage, throughout the cafeteria and in the courtyard. They gather in circles where Walnut Springs adults lead a guided forum for students to connect, express their feelings and hear from one another.
This year, the school’s equity team decided to integrate restorative circles into the school day during a 20-minute advisory period. As part of the restorative circles, teachers and staff have lesson plans to shape their discussions as well as guidelines on how students treat and respond to each other in the space.
The practice stems from the work by the International Institute of Restorative Practices Graduate School, which provides resources for educators and studies the influence of relationships on social health. Their research has found that circle practices have helped improve school climate and fostered the development of social-emotional skills.
Building connections is key to the restorative circles, Principal Becca Yanni said. By sharing stories and opening up to one another, students, teachers and staff can strengthen relationships and develop social connections.
“We want all staff to have a closer sense of the students within our building,” she said. “We will share our stories and find connections to become one Wolf Pack. And we hope that students find their trusted adult and a group of students to share their experiences with. These small communities will help extend a positive culture throughout our building.”
Restorative circles are not a new concept to Walnut Springs. Administrators and teachers have used restorative practices on a smaller scale for several years to help students process their feelings when troubled or when they had a concern. This year’s efforts take a more focused and consistent approach to bringing the restorative circles to all students.
Throughout the week, students shared how they were feeling in emojis and weather patterns. They reflected on the first week of school, talking about the highs and the lows. They dove into the stories of their middle name and picked a name for their House.
At the start of the advisory period in Beth Morvay’s class, students immediately took their seats in a circle at the front of the room. She pulled out a William Shakespeare doll, which serves as the talking piece for the circle, and reminded students of the guidelines and confidentiality for the space.
"We speak from the heart, listen from the heart," she said. "Trust that you’ll know what to say and say just enough. Remember whoever has the talking piece is who is speaking."
She asked students for an emoji that represents how they are feeling. Their responses were varied: Tired. Clown face. Happy. Hungry. Hyper monkey.
She then launched into a discussion about kindness, asking students about the kindest thing someone has done for them. Their responses: “Mom let me sleep in.” “Someone gave me candy when I was hungry.” “Someone said hi to me.” “Left me alone when I wanted to be alone.” “Mom gave me food when I was sick from my favorite restaurant.”
She then asked about the kindest thing they’ve ever done for someone else.
“Bought ice cream for my whole family.” “Bought my little sister a drink.” “Invited a girl to hang out with us.” “Bought friend candy.” “Helped my mom with babysitting.” “Taken care of my mom when she’s sick.”
One student had questions to ask the circle: Who is their favorite Paw Patrol character? What is your favorite toy?
One by one, students responded, finding common ground in Chase, the leader of the Paw Patrol, and in playing with Nerf guns and LEGOs.
Soon they launched into stories about giving their doll a haircut, the cost of Hatchimals and playing with kinetic sand.
Just as they finished their conversation, the advisory period was over and Morvay dismissed them so they could head to their next class.
Just two weeks into the school year, students, teachers and staff are still getting to know each other, Assistant Principal Alison Fisher said.
“They are doing a lot of getting-to-know-you questions and establishing what we’re doing in the circle,” she said. “Eventually, we’ll get to ‘What do you want our school community to look like?’ ‘How can we make this a better place?’ and we’ll be able to respond to certain things that are happening in the world so they have a safe place to talk about them.”