PeerM.htm

What is mediation?
Mediation is the process of conflict resolution where disputants are guided by a neutral third
party in discussion and resolution of a conflict. We use the co-mediation model, which uses two
mediators who work hand-in-hand to create an atmosphere of trust and respect. The mediators
help to reduce power differences and emotional volatility, allowing difficult issues to be calmly
discussed and worked out. The goal of mediation is to have disputants agree to a solution that is
not imposed on them from the outside, but rather come to through discussion and compromise.
In order for this to work, both parties must voluntarily agree to participate, as they cannot be
forced to communicate and come to an agreement. Mediation is used for issues ranging from
neighborhood disputes, financial interactions, workplace disputes, to family issues and divorce.

What is the purpose of mediation in a school setting?
The peer mediation program at Classical High is designed to help students learn how to work out
conflicts on their own, with the help of trained student mediators. Mediators at Classical have
had at least twenty hours of training, and are subject to re-trainings to keep working on their
skills. With the use of mediation, conflicts are reduced within the classroom and school, and
students avoid suspension and other consequences. Through placing the responsibility to resolve
the issue on the students themselves, the students are invested in creating a workable solution. As
a preventative tool for punitive or disciplinary action, mediation can help students to quickly
resolve a problem in its early stages. Mediation can also be used to re-establish a relationship
after a fight or conflict has erupted, allowing students to deal with the difficulties of re-entering
the school environment and moving past the issue. Also, mediation can be used for situations
beyond the scope of individual student-to-student conflicts. Any individuals or groups can be
involved in mediation, including faculty, staff and students.

How does mediation work?
In a confidential, safe, and neutral atmosphere, the students are guided to open up in direct
communication about their differences. With the help of the student mediators, students engage
in a dialogue about the conflict and the potential outcomes of the situation. The beginning stages
of mediation revolve around hearing both sides of the story. Mediators encourage both parties to
share their version of events, looking for underlying causes and shared concerns. Next, the two
parties are often split up and given private sessions with the mediators to allow them to open up
about any other issues they may be uncomfortable sharing in a joint session. Throughout this
process, mediators look for common ground between the disputants, working to find a point from
which to encourage a solution. When the disputants are brought back together, they are
encouraged to understand the other side of the issue and to begin looking for possible resolutions
themselves. After about an hour, the vast majority of disputants come to a workable resolution
that they themselves have proposed. This agreement can be a written contract or a verbal pact.
Your referrals to the mediation program are a big step in working to reduce the conflict seen at
the school, and to keeping students out of further consequences.

Teaching students to be Peer Mediators,

I will be recruiting new mediators for training, teaching students about mediation as a means of resolving their conflicts, and coordinating all aspects of the mediation process from referral to follow-up. The mediation program is set up to train student mediators who then help other students resolve their own conflicts. Examples of some issues that can be handled in mediation include name-calling, threats, harassment, rumors, destruction of property, and arguments within a relationship. Once a case is referred to me, I will meet individually with students involved to talk about the conflict and explain the program to them. If it seems appropriate for mediation, I’ll schedule a session with one of our trained peer mediators.

If you know of any conflicts that might be appropriate for mediation, you can contact me in whatever way is easiest. Currently that would be email, grabbing me as I am walking around, or stopping by my office in the guidance wing, right next to Channa Srey.

Also, if you would like to recommend any students as peer mediators, please let me know. We will probably be training new mediators in mid/late October, so if you have a student in mind, the sooner the better. In order for our students to feel comfortable bringing their conflicts to mediation, it’s important that peer mediators reflect the diversity of the student body.

Last but certainly not least, if you would like me to come by for a few minutes and introduce the program and me to your classes I would be more than happy to add it to my schedule. I am attaching both a “referral to mediation” form and application for potential mediators to this email.

I’m looking forward to getting to know all of you and appreciate the warm welcome I’ve received at Classical High so far.

Thanks for all your help!

Alyssa Baglieri

Peer Mediation Coordinator

Lynn Classical High School

235 O'Callaghan Way

Lynn, MA 01905