Kearsley Families,
We believe that strong relationships and a caring community are essential for our students’ success. As a district, we continue to seek ways to strengthen how we support students both academically and socially. As part of that ongoing effort, we are focusing on community building and, when appropriate, considering more restorative approaches to addressing student behavior and discipline issues.
District-Wide Training and Commitment
Our entire Kearsley staff has now been trained in foundational restorative practices and community building. These efforts are being implemented across all of our schools to help create consistent, caring, and connected environments where every student feels known and supported. Building this foundation is critical, as it allows us to lean on established strong relationships when conflict arises.
While traditional consequences, like detention or suspension are still being used, we are beginning to shift to a more proactive approach rather than always being reactive. This includes:
Circles and restorative conversations to help build community in classrooms
Collaborative problem-solving to repair relationships and restore trust
Expanded opportunities for growth and accountability, rather than just exclusion
What Are Restorative Practices?
Restorative practices focus on building and maintaining positive relationships, resolving conflicts, and repairing harm when it occurs. This approach helps students:
Take more responsibility for their actions and understand the impact on others
Develop empathy, communication, and develop the skills to work through conflicts
Strengthen their sense of belonging and connection to our school community
This approach aligns closely with our 2025-26 district theme of Building Bridges and Breaking Barriers by helping every student feel known, valued, and supported while maintaining high expectations for behavior and learning.
Looking Ahead
We know that meaningful change takes time and commitment but we’re confident this shift will make Kearsley stronger and more connected. Thank you for your continued partnership and for reinforcing these same values at home—listening, accountability, and care. Together, we can help our students grow not just as learners, but as kind and responsible members of society.
Sincerely,
Paul Gaudard
Superintendent