Advisor: Mr. Burns, ext. 7033 , Mr. Valentine, ext. 7093, Ms. Brennan, ext. 7026

Peer Mediation is a program involved with the process of conflict resolution. Its purpose is to help eliminate bickering, fear and violence in our schools. Students may choose mediation as a response to a conflict in their school lives. They may ask their guidance counselor, an administrator, or any teacher for the opportunity to mediate a conflict. The mediation process is strictly confidential. The students will try to find a peaceful and equitable solution with the help of two trained student mediators. Certain issues may not be discussed or mediated, such as drug abuse/sexual abuse. All parties involved are made fully aware of this at the onset of the mediation. Mediations occur in a private area and students usually mediate during non-academic periods.

Each year a new group of students in the high school goes through three days of Peer Mediation training. They learn how to help their peers resolve conflict. They do not solve the problems for their peers, they just help guide them to resolution.

Here is the process a peer mediator follows:

Step 1-Introduction
Ask if they want to solve the problem with you.
Ask them to sit down at the Peace Table.
Get them to agree to the 4 ground rules:
No name calling or put-downs
Do not interrupt
Be honest
Work hard to solve the problem

Step 2-Story-telling
Ask each person to say what happened.
Ask each person how they are feeling.
Repeat what you hear them saying (paraphrase).
Ask each person if they have anything more to say.

Step 3-Problem Solving
Ask each person what they are willing to do to solve the problem.
Ask each person if they can agree to the solution.

Step 4-Agreement
Restate the final solution.
Ask each person if this is what they agree to.
Ask each person what they could do to keep the problem from happening again.
Congratulate them for working hard.