Restorative Circles Debut at Finley Middle School

A new restorative circles program is debuting at J. Taylor Finley Middle School this fall. Teachers and students recently participated in a building-wide introduction to the initiative. Finley’s first PTA meeting of the year included a demonstration of the concept for parents.

The initial rollout of the program occurred on a recent Friday morning. Participants in such programs sit in a large circle, but the initiative involves much more than mere seating arrangements.

Principal Traci Roethel, Assistant Principal Kenneth Parham, social studies teacher Angela Whitfield, social worker Kathryn Costa and school psychologist Mary DiBenedetto were originally trained in the restorative circles concept in the summer of 2019. When classes resumed that same September, members of the group began introducing the program to faculty and staff members and training them in its use.

The COVID-19 pandemic interrupted full introduction and implementation of the restorative circles program at Finley. But as school life increasingly returns to normal, school officials are moving forward with the initiative.

Restorative circles will be incorporated into at least one advisory period a month at Finley. “Restorative circles are a different way for students to share their thoughts and feelings about important topics and learn from each other,” one teacher said. “The circle is designed to promote connection, understanding and dialogue in a group setting. A circle gives everyone a voice- an opportunity to speak and be listened to.”

The senior is also taking classes in calculus and physics. She has always excelled academically and this year is no different as she strives to complete her time in Huntington on a high note.

Assistant Superintendent Beth McCoy has helped fine-tune the program, which is a component of Finley’s mental health attunement initiative, which also includes therapy dogs, playing calming music during period passing times and reestablishing the school’s mentoring program.

“In a circle no one is more important than anyone else; even if they choose not to speak,” a Finley teacher explained. “Literally, the design of a circle puts everyone on an equal level. In a circle we assume that every person has something to offer and that the presence of every person is important for the good of the whole. It’s both community building and adding to the culture of the building.” 

Mrs. Roethel said the upcoming restorative circle themes include “values such as respect, perseverance, good listening and kindness.”

Finley administrators and teachers felt the recent introduction was successful. “Overall the feedback was positive and the students and teachers were eager to try something new to build connections,” Mrs. Roethel said. “Upcoming district training includes Woodhull Intermediate School, Jack Abrams STEM Magnet School and Huntington High School.”