Building on the good work that has been done in recent years to reduce suspensions and expulsions in San Mateo County schools by implementing Restorative Justice Practices, we are partnering with the San Mateo County Office of Education to develop a strategic plan for implementing Restorative Justice Practices in San Mateo County schools. For students to be successful in school, first and foremost they must be present to learn. When students are suspended and expelled from school not only do they miss out on opportunities to learn, they also are more likely to drop out of school and come in contact with the juvenile justice system. In an attempt to move beyond the more traditional punitive disciplinary actions, schools across San Mateo County are working to implement Restorative Justice Practice, which is a strategy to change school disciplinary procedures. Restorative Justice Practices focus first on building community in the school setting to prevent infractions from occurring in the first place. When behavior infractions have occurred, both the offender and the victim are brought together by a restorative justice coordinator to resolve the issues through discussion and an apology. The San Mateo County Restorative Practices Strategic Plan will be released early next year.