Le Conte Middle School Peer Mediation Program

 

What is Peer Mediation?

 

Peer Mediation is a confidential process for resolving conflicts. Participants have the opportunity to talk through their conflicts with the help of trained student mediators.

Peer mediators do not take sides or place blame on anyone. They listen to all participants and help the participants to develop their own solution to the conflict. If you are interested in becoming a peer mediator or taking a peer mediation class talk to your guidance counselor.

 

When is the Best Time to Try Mediation?

 

Now! If you are feeling frustrated or angry with a friend but have not approached them about your feelings, mediation can help. If you have already been in several fights with a person mediation can help clear the air. Participating in a mediation gives you the opportunity to confront a person you are in conflict with in a non-violent way.

 

Who Can Request a Mediation?

 

Students, teachers, administrators, and parents can request a mediation to help students resolve conflicts.

 

How does it work?

 

These are the five steps:

 

1. INTRODUCTION & GROUND RULES

Peer mediators and participants are introduced. Ground rules are agreed upon.

2. STORYTELLING

All participants share their side of the story without interruption. Peer mediators actively listen and help all participants feel understood.

3. IDENTIFYING ISSUES AND NEEDS

Participants examine and define their own issues and needs.

4. FINDING SOLUTIONS

Participants create their own solutions to resolve the conflict.

5. FINAL AGREEMENT

Peer mediators write solutions into an

agreement and participants sign it.

 

What are the GroundRules?

 

• Do not interrupt

• No name-calling or put downs

• Be honest

• Agree to work towards solving the problem

 

Who are the Certified Le Conte Peer Mediators?

 

Le Conte Peer mediators are students who are committed to making their school a peaceful place to learn. Mediators come from diverse backgrounds and represent a variety of different experiences. Before they can mediate they receive intensive training in communication, problem solving, conflict resolution, and mediation skills. All Le Conte mediators have completed Certification Requirements that involves a 16 hour training, with follow-up trainings.

 

Interested in Becoming a Peer Mediator?

 

Le Conte Middle School with collaboration from the Asian Pacific American Dispute Resolution Center (APADRC) offers periodic trainings for its peer mediation program. Students interested in becoming a mediator will be called in for an extensive interview, which will go over the student interest in the program. This interview could lead to an invitation for the 16 hour training. After the training students are again interviewed and than selected to continue on to become student mediators. If you are interested in becoming a peer mediator or taking a peer mediation class talk to Mr. Burns, the Peer Mediation Coordinator.

 

 

Peer mediators and participants are asked to keep all information shared in the mediation confidential. That means peer mediators and participants agree not to discuss any part of the mediation outside of the mediation room. When there is mention of drugs, weapons, or abuse peer mediators must report that information to an adult.

 

What Kinds of Conflicts can be mediated?

 

• Teasing

• Bullying

• Name-calling

• Rumors

• Friendships

• Misunderstandings

• Teacher/Student conflicts*

• Parent/Teen Conflicts*

 

Why Participate in Mediation?

 

• It's Confidential

• Peer Mediators Don't Take Sides

• You Can Tell Your Side of the Story

• You Can Solve Your Problem Peacefully

• You Decide the Outcome

 

 

"Peer mediation has had a great influence on my life. It has made me more open minded and understanding, and changed the way I view life and others."-Le Conte Middle School Student

“The Dean’s office is lucky to have students trained as peer mediators. Peer Mediators keep small problems between students from becoming larger problems that the Dean’s Office would have to deal with later.” Dean

"It is an outstanding program. The peer mediators have done an outstanding job. Conflicts are almost always resolved permanently when students have gone through

peer mediation. They learn skills that carry over to other situations". – Administrator

"Anyone interested in teaching and learning about tolerance and respect should look into this wonderful program." Mr. Aleman, teacher.

“The Peer Mediation Program empowers youth to resolve conflict in a peaceful, non-violent way. Peer mediation works because students are trained to help other students, by talking out there problems. – Eric Burns, Peer Mediation Coordinator, ELA Counselor