Equity & Restorative Justice
At KDA, we are aware that academics alone won’t prepare our students for college, career, and life. We need to ensure that students have equal opportunity and access to a wide range of opportunities to develop and nurture their interests and talents.
Restorative Justice
"Restorative Justice builds a school community’s social emotional intelligence, relationships, and capacity to address challenges together. It helps create a community where healing is possible. Restorative Justice not only strengthens relationships between adults and students; but among adults, and among students as well. In this way, RJ creates a positive, inclusive school culture; enhances teaching and learning; and acts as a preventative measure, as school communities are better equipped to resolve conflicts as they appear, before they escalate into a bigger issue." -excerpt from OUSD's Restorative Justice web page
At KDA, all classrooms hold community circles at least twice a week. These circles build trust and foster a sense of personal accountability for the well-being of the classroom community.
Circle of Courage
KDA has adopted The Circle of Courage, a model of positive youth development that integrates Native American philosophies and teachings. The Circle of Courage is based in four universal growth needs of all children: Belonging, Generosity, Independence, and Mastery.
The Circle of Courage was co-developed by Martin Brokenleg of the Rosebud Lakota Sioux Tribe.
Toolbox:The 12 Tools
Toolbox is a research-based social-emotional learning curriculum for grades K-6. It teaches critical social competencies necessary for academic and life success such as: resiliency, self-management, and responsible decision-making skills through 12 human capacities (tools) that reside within us all.