Students lead restorative-practice circle as Chaffee staff highlight classroom gains

At the Newington Board of Education meeting on March 11, Ruth Chaffee staff led a short restorative-practices demonstration that featured student circle activities and teachers describing classroom benefits from a year of implementation.

Principal Jim Marciano introduced the program as a system of principles and processes to build a culture of respect, responsibility and accountability. Third-grade teacher Brian Rozanski described measurable classroom changes, saying restorative practice has “offered many consistent opportunities for students to share their thoughts, beliefs, and perspectives, and more importantly for students to hear the perspectives of others and value those perspectives.”

Fourth-grade teacher Bonfoy (presenting online) and other staff explained that the work is mostly proactive (about 80%) and that circles are used for community-building, check-ins and content-focused discussions; teachers said students demonstrated increased agency, problem-solving and willingness to participate. Student leaders guided the board through a short check-in and shared values such as kindness, patience and respect.

Board members praised the demonstration and recommended wider staff training and continued use across classrooms. The board did not take formal action; the presentation served as a progress update and an example of classroom-level social-emotional learning.