Twenty Waterford High students have just completed a two-day intense training to become peer mediators. Last year, Mrs. Gay Collins and Mr. Tim Fioravanti completed the "Trainers of Trainers" program in peer mediation offered by the Governor's Prevention Partnership.
Twenty Waterford High students were recommended by faculty members as excellent candidates to benefit from this training. Mrs. Collins and Mr. Fioravanti, with assistance from Mrs. Baumgartner and Mrs. Wood, trained these students to become the peer mediators of Waterford High.
With a focus on keeping Connecticut kids safe, successful and drug-free for a stronger workforce tomorrow, The Governor’s Prevention Partnership, started in 1989, is a public-private nonprofit dedicated to delivering prevention programs that address emerging and dangerous issues that affect youth. (1)
Did you know that a well-designed, well-run peer mediation program can lead to fewer fights, discipline referrals, suspensions and expulsions while also helping to improve school climate? Studies show that conflicts resolved through peer mediation result in successful resolutions 71%-100% of the time. Peer mediation is a program that fosters critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity, which are skills necessary for success in the 21st century. (1)
The Waterford High Peer Mediation Program is based on the program designed by the Fairfax (VA) County Public Schools. It is a well-designed program that the Governor’s Prevention Partnership recommends.
Who are the Peer Mediators?
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 experiences. Before they can mediate, they receive intense training in communication, problem solving, conflict resolution, and mediation skills.
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. They listen to each person and help that person develop his or her own solution to the conflict.
What Kinds of Conflicts can be Mediated?
Typical types of conflicts recommended for mediation include: teasing, disagreements, name-calling, rumors, relationships, and misunderstandings.
Who Can Request a Mediation?
Students, teachers, administrators, and parents can request mediation to help resolve conflicts.
What About Confidentiality?
Peer mediators and participants are required to keep all information shared in the mediation confidential. Peer mediators and participants agree not to discuss any part of the mediation outside of the mediation room. However, when there is mention of drugs, weapons, or abuse, peer mediators must report that information to an adult. (2)
Resources:
1. http://www.preventionworksct.org/welcome.html
2. http://www.fcps.edu/dss/ips/ssaw/ConflictResolution/PeerMediationBrochure.pdf
