Deans' Digest - April Edition
Spring Fever & Restorative Practices: Keeping Students Engaged and Accountable
Ah, April—the month when the weather warms up, attention spans shrink, and student behavior takes a turn for the interesting. With energy running high, disruptions can increase, making it the perfect time to lean into restorative practices to keep students engaged and accountable.
1. Why Springtime Brings More Disruptions
Warmer weather and longer days lead to restlessness.
End-of-year anticipation means focus starts to fade.
Social conflicts often resurface as students spend more time outside.
2. Using Restorative Practices to Address Challenges
Instead of doubling down on punitive measures, restorative practices can help:
Build stronger relationships between students and staff.
Address conflicts before they escalate.
Reinforce accountability while keeping students engaged in the school community.
3. Avoiding Common Pitfalls in Spring Discipline
Spring is the season of high-energy disruptions, and sometimes even the best strategies can falter. Here’s what to watch out for:
Over-reliance on punitive discipline: Quick fixes like detentions may not address the root cause of behavior issues.
Ignoring early warning signs: Pay attention to small changes in student behavior before they escalate.
Lack of student voice: Students are more engaged when they feel heard—invite them into problem-solving discussions.
Inconsistency among staff: Make sure all educators are on the same page with restorative discipline approaches.
4. Practical Strategies for a Smooth Spring
Restorative Circles: Use them for conflict resolution, classroom discussions, or simply to reset the energy.
Student Check-Ins: A quick “How’s it going?” can go a long way in preventing bigger issues.
Proactive Interventions: Address minor concerns before they turn into major disruptions.
Clear Expectations: Remind students of behavior expectations while making space for their excitement.
5. Supporting Staff Through Spring Fever
Encourage Consistency: Remind staff that sticking to restorative approaches is key, even when patience runs thin.
Prioritize Self-Care: Teachers and administrators need breaks, too! Encourage brief reset moments throughout the day.
Acknowledge the Challenges: Sometimes, just recognizing that this time of year is tough can make it easier to navigate.
Dean’s List: Aubry Bursch Knows Small School
This month, we’re thrilled to spotlight Aubrey Bursch , a powerhouse in the world of school marketing and a true champion for small and independent schools. As the Founder & CEO of Easy School Marketing, Aubrey brings deep expertise, boundless energy, and heartfelt purpose to her work helping schools increase enrollment, retention, and revenue—without burning out their teams.
Aubrey’s not just a seasoned strategist with 20+ years in marketing and development—she’s also the daughter of lifelong educators and a parent of two independent school students. That personal connection fuels her mission: to help small schools build sustainable marketing and development systems that reflect their unique communities and actually work.
Through her work at Easy School Marketing, her co-hosting of the Mindful School Marketing podcast, and her leadership of the Small School Leaders PD program, Aubrey is changing the game—bringing clarity where there’s overwhelm and impact where there’s been spinning wheels. Her mantra is simple but powerful: Limited resources shouldn’t limit success. And thanks to her, they don’t have to.
Tech Tool of the Month
This month, we recommend Educator Aide, an app designed to help track student behavior trends and facilitate data-driven restorative conversations. With real-time behavior logging and communication tools, it supports a proactive approach to discipline. Try it out and let us know your thoughts!
Food for Thought
“The goal of restorative practices is not to eliminate consequences but to create meaningful accountability.” – Unknown
How are you fostering accountability in your school community?
Humor Corner
Why don’t students ever bring umbrellas to school in April? Because they’d rather let spring fever soak in! 🌦😆
Got a funny school-related story? Share it with us for next month’s humor corner!
Self-Care Corner
This month’s self-care tip: The 3-Minute Breathing Space
Pause – Take a deep breath and step away from the chaos.
Acknowledge – Recognize how you’re feeling in the moment.
Reset – Shift your focus to what’s within your control and move forward with intention.
Wisdom Corner
“Discipline is not about control, but about guidance.” – Unknown
Let’s keep fostering relationships that create accountability and community.
Here’s to a strong, restorative April!ursch, a powerhouse in the world of school marketing and a true champion for small and independent schools. As the Founder & CEO of Easy School Marketing, Aubrey brings deep expertise, boundless energy, and heartfelt purpose to her work helping schools increase enrollment, retention, and revenue—without burning out their teams.
Aubrey’s not just a seasoned strategist with 20+ years in marketing and development—she’s also the daughter of lifelong educators and a parent of two independent school students. That personal connection fuels her mission: to help small schools build sustainable marketing and development systems that reflect their unique communities and actually work.
Through her work at Easy School Marketing, her co-hosting of the Mindful School Marketing podcast, and her leadership of the Small School Leaders PD program, Aubrey is changing the game—bringing clarity where there’s overwhelm and impact where there’s been spinning wheels. Her mantra is simple but powerful: Limited resources shouldn’t limit success. And thanks to her, they don’t have to.
Tech Tool of the Month
This month, we recommend Educator Aide, an app designed to help track student behavior trends and facilitate data-driven restorative conversations. With real-time behavior logging and communication tools, it supports a proactive approach to discipline. Try it out and let us know your thoughts!
Food for Thought
“The goal of restorative practices is not to eliminate consequences but to create meaningful accountability.” – Unknown
How are you fostering accountability in your school community?
Humor Corner
Why don’t students ever bring umbrellas to school in April? Because they’d rather let spring fever soak in! 🌦😆
Got a funny school-related story? Share it with us for next month’s humor corner!
Self-Care Corner
This month’s self-care tip: The 3-Minute Breathing Space
Pause – Take a deep breath and step away from the chaos.
Acknowledge – Recognize how you’re feeling in the moment.
Reset – Shift your focus to what’s within your control and move forward with intention.
Wisdom Corner
“Discipline is not about control, but about guidance.” – Unknown
Let’s keep fostering relationships that create accountability and community.
Here’s to a strong, restorative April!
Bridget Johnson, Founder, Deans' Roundtable
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