Spring Fever & Restorative Practices: Keeping Students Engaged and Accountable
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
Want more support as a student life professional?
Look no further than the Deans' Roundtable Community
- Network with a vast directory of student life professionals like yourself
- Gain a multitude of professional development opportunities to be the best version of yourself
- Gather expert advice on the important questions you need answered
Spring Cleaning Your Sanity: Prepping for the End-of-Year Marathon
Deans' Digest - March Edition
Spring Cleaning Your Sanity: Prepping for the End-of-Year Marathon
March is here, and that means two things: the school year is in its final stretch, and student life professionals everywhere are hanging on for dear life. Between prom, senior pranks, and graduation, the next few months are a marathon. But before the sprint to summer begins, let’s talk about some much-needed spring cleaning—for your policies, processes, and sanity.
1. Declutter Your Discipline Approach
Have you noticed that some of your go-to disciplinary responses just aren’t working? Maybe it’s time to toss the outdated, ineffective policies and refresh your approach. Ask yourself:
- What discipline trends have been popping up lately?
- Are there alternative strategies that could be more effective?
- Is there a way to implement more restorative conversations in daily interactions?
2. Refresh Student Engagement
By March, student enthusiasm is meh at best. Combat disengagement with fresh approaches:
- Mix it up – Introduce new leadership opportunities or give students a say in end-of-year activities.
- Check-in – Hold quick circle discussions or small group chats to gauge how students are feeling.
- Make it relevant – Connect lessons, programs, and events to what’s happening in their world right now.
3. The Ultimate Survival Kit for Spring Events
You know the big ones are coming: prom, senior pranks, and graduation. Prepare now so you’re not putting out fires later.
- Prom – Have clear expectations and backup plans for “creative” student ideas.
- Senior Shenanigans – Get ahead of pranks by offering sanctioned fun activities.
- Graduation – Triple-check your seating chart now. You’ll thank yourself later.
4. Mental Spring Cleaning: Avoiding Burnout
As the chaos ramps up, don’t forget to take care of yourself.
- Say no to unnecessary meetings. (Yes, really.)
- Take 5-minute breaks – Step outside, breathe, avoid eye contact with students who look like they’re about to tell on each other.
- Lean on your people – Whether it’s a mentor, a colleague, or your therapist, don’t go it alone.
5. Quick Checklist: Are You Surviving or Just Barely Holding On?
- You have at least one set of backup formalwear in your office for emergency prom duty. ✅
- You’ve caught yourself saying, “I’ll deal with that after graduation.” ✅
- You know exactly where to find extra tissues for weepy parents. ✅
- You’ve considered hiding in a supply closet. ✅✅✅
If this checklist hits too close to home, take a deep breath. You’ve got this! And remember, you’re not in this alone.
Dean’s List: Andrew McMasters’ “Listening without Agenda”
Andrew McMasters , Seattle-based entrepreneur and professional actor with over three decades of experience in arts and business, announces the release of his groundbreaking book “Listening without Agenda: Practical Steps for Effective Listening” Drawing from his extensive background as a corporate trainer working with Fortune 500 companies and his expertise as an improviser, McMasters has crafted a practical guide addressing one of leadership’s most overlooked skills – effective listening.
This transformative book offers:
- Practical exercises to develop genuine listening abilities
- Management techniques for building stronger relationships
- Strategies to create happier and more productive teams
- Insights on avoiding common listening pitfalls
- Real-world examples and interviews with effective listeners
Readers will gain actionable methods for immediate implementation in their professional lives while developing a skill set crucial for leadership success. With a 5-star rating from early readers, this resource fills a critical gap in professional development literature.
Ready to transform how you connect with others? “Listening without Agenda: Practical Steps for Effective Listening” is available now in Kindle format, with McMasters’ signature blend of expertise and humor making this essential skill both accessible and engaging.
Food for Thought
“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” – African Proverb
How are you fostering collaboration within your school community?
Humor Corner
Why did the dean bring a ladder to work? Because they wanted to reach new heights in student engagement! 😆
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 5-4-3-2-1 Grounding Exercise
- 5 things you can see
- 4 things you can touch
- 3 things you can hear
- 2 things you can smell
- 1 thing you can taste
Take a moment to breathe and reset when stress levels rise.
Wisdom Corner
“Students don’t remember the rules you enforce, they remember how you made them feel.” – Unknown
Let’s keep building relationships that foster growth and community.
Here’s to a smooth, (mostly) sane end-of-year stretch!
—The Deans’ Roundtable Team
Bridget Johnson
Want more support as a student life professional?
Look no further than the Deans' Roundtable Community
- Network with a vast directory of student life professionals like yourself
- Gain a multitude of professional development opportunities to be the best version of yourself
- Gather expert advice on the important questions you need answered
