THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, February 9, 1997 TAG: 9702070208
SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER PAGE: 20 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY SUSAN W. SMITH, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: 77 lines
IT'S COOL TO TAKE on a problem with another kid face-to-face at Indian River Middle School. In fact, the faculty and staff encourage their students to bring their disputes to school.
``But we meet at the table, not the bus stop or the playground,'' said Kevin Brown, 13. ``And we use words, not pushing and shoving, to see if we can work out the problem.''
Brown is among the 1,400 students introduced to the Peer Mediation Program at the sixth-, seventh- and eighth-grade school. They learn that although conflict is a natural occurrence in life, there are peaceful ways to reach solutions. The goal of the program is to bring students with problems together to discuss ways to solve the issue.
``At this age, children are going through many changes physically, socially and emotionally. Often it does not take much to ignite an argument,'' said James R. ``Bobby'' Glisson, the school principal. ``If we can give them the mechanics of good communication now, maybe it will be helpful when situations are more serious.''
Glissan said most conflicts in middle school involve name-calling, girlfriend and boyfriend situations and trouble because of rumors or gossip.
Sixth-graders are introduced to the mediation program in their physical education or health classes. They practice listening exercises, role playing and learn how to avoid excuses, blaming, pushing, bossing, threats, put-downs and name-calling.
``Learning to listen and to think about what I'm going to say has helped me at home and with my friends,'' said Nailah Harris, 12, a sixth-grader.
Other sixth-graders like Stefan Bratcher, 12; Shawna Morrison, 12; and Kim Pinkett, 12; are looking forward to taking the next step by becoming mediators next year.
So far, 40 seventh- and eighth-grade students have participated in an additional three weeks of training to serve as peer mediators. Students like Olletta Carlos, 13; Crystal Canady, 13; Denise Purdie, 14; and Brown learned how to talk through a conflict, and to have better communication and listening skills. The student counselors direct the mediation sessions, listen to both sides of the story and help steer their friends to an agreeable solution.
If a student wants a mediation session, a request is dropped into the designated mail box. All requests and sessions are confidential, and reports do not become part of a student's file.
A mediation session with the feuding students, two peer counselors and a teacher advisor is scheduled as quickly as possible, said Lee Hickman, the guidance counselor who helped initiate the program.
Carlos said it was important in a session that the students with the problems understand and promise to abide by the rules. They must not interrupt each other and no name calling is allowed.
``And it's also important that they be totally honest and sincere that they want to solve the problem,'' Canady said.
Shanda Long, 13, knows from experience the benefits of a mediation session. She's been to two. The first time she was almost fighting with a friend, and a teacher advised her to try a mediation session to resolve their problem. It worked so well that later when a situation occurred with another friend, Long was the one who suggested peer mediation.
``We discussed the rumors, which were not true, talked about our feelings, and decided not to let others cause trouble,'' Long said. ``And now we are still friends.''
Most students are responsible people and, with the right tools, they can learn to solve many of their own problems, Hickman said.
``It's easier to talk to someone your own age,'' Brown added. ``Sometimes we understand better what they are saying and why they are upset.''
Principal Glisson said there is evidence that the program is a success. He cited a considerable decreased in office referrals, suspensions and hallway disturbances since its inception.
``But we still argue,'' Brown said. ``Only we use nicer words, listen to our friends and try to be fair.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by MORT FRYMAN
Olletta Carlos, 13, left; Kevin Brown, 13; Crystal Canady, 13; and
Denise Purdie, 14, participated in three weeks of training in
preparation for the peer mediation program at Indian River Middle
School.