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Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) began the 2021-22 school year with a heightened emphasis on the mental health and social-emotional well-being of students.
This year, M-DCPS is amplifying its Restorative Justice Practices (RJP) Check2Connect and ConnectionB4Curriculum campaigns by creating opportunities for real and meaningful connections among teachers and their students.
Making connections changes the way students learn and fosters healthy relationships that will improve school climate and culture. The RJP campaign focuses on cultivating connections first and curriculum second. This campaign embeds simple and short check-in activities at the start of each lesson and helps teachers get a pulse on each student while building positive relationships. Through these efforts, students and teachers learn more about each other and begin to forge stronger relationships.
Talking and Listening Circles are other connection practices and strategies used at M-DCPS to build communities and respond to conflicts and problems that may arise. Schools establish Peace Paths and Peace Rooms for students to use to work through difficult emotions and challenging situations by taking ownership and letting their voices be heard.
By devoting the first 60 to 90 seconds of class, both students and teachers are given an opportunity for their voices to be heard. This creates an atmosphere where everyone feels like they belong and are valued through daily Check2Connect activities and making a ConnectionB4Curriculum. Check-in activities allow everyone to share their hopes, fears, dreams, struggles, triumphs and unique experiences.
We at M-DCPS are taking the time to connect with students and learn more about each other before diving into content instruction. Connection and positive energy in the classrooms will only make learning more meaningful.
