Welcome to Seneca Valley's Conflict Resolution Program for the Elementary and Middle Schools

The purpose of this web page is to make the components of Peace Talks available to Students, Teachers, and to Parents of the Seneca Valley School District.

SENECA VALLEY PEACE MISSION

Seneca Valley School District accepts the reality that conflict is natural, and many times, inevitable in relationships between people, including friends. The Seneca Valley K-12 "PEACE" Curriculum demonstrates to administrators, teachers, students, and to the Seneca Valley community that there are ways to deal with conflict other than passivity or aggression. The goals of the PEACE Curriculum are to develop conflict resolution skills, to increase understanding and appreciation of others' viewpoints and individual and cultural differences, and to empower all youth to play a significant role in creating a more peaceful world.

HISTORICAL PROGRAM OVERVIEW

In the summer of 1996, the Seneca Valley School District officially began its program of Conflict Resolution by training all of its administrators, school psychologists, and guidance counselors in the principles of conflict resolution and conflict mediation. The following summer in 1997, a committee of Seneca Valley guidance counselors and school psychologist met and wrote out the Seneca Valley K - 12 PEACE Training Manual. Administrators and counselors planned to incorporate the teaching of these conflict resolution skills into the regular curriculum beginning at the third grade level. During the 1997-98 school year and the following summer, all regular classroom teachers of grades 3 and 4 as well as special area teachers were trained in conflict resolution and mediation. A special team of Seneca Valley 7/8 Middle School teachers were also trained at the same time.

Although the elementary guidance counselors have trained 4th grade students in the skills of conflict resolution since the beginning of the elementary guidance program, the real training in PEACE Talks for students began in the 1998-99 school year. All students in grades 3 and 4 throughout the District were taught the components of PEACE Talks by the Elementary School Counselors at the beginning of the school year. Each third and fourth grade teacher established within his/her classroom a peace table or peace area where students came together with the teacher as mediator to resolve their conflicts. The program in all 3rd and 4th grade classes has been continued since then. Any new staff members that enter at these grade levels also receive training.

In the 1999-2000 school year the regular education teachers and special area teachers in all of grade 5 at both Haine and Evans City 5/6 Middle Schools were trained. The counselors at these schools also went into classrooms and reveiwed the principles and procedures with the students. The same thing was accomplished during the 2000-2001 school year in grade 6 throughout the District. At the 5/6 Middle Schools conflict mediation PEACE Talks are done by the teams of teachers in an area designated by each team.

At Seneca Valley Middle School grades 7/8, conflicts between students have always been handled by Counselors, Administrators, the Deans, and by teachers who had received the early training. In the school year 2002-2003 the program moved with the students into grades 7 and 8 of Seneca Valley Middle School. All 7th and 8th grade personnel have been trained in conflict mediation, and the students continue to receive a review in the classroom. A conflict mediation room has been established an is staffed by teachers during the school day

the program in conflict mediatin continues to move with students from the elementary through the middle and into the highschool.

 K-8 PROCEDURE FOR CONDUCTING "PEACE" TALKS

During the school year when a student has a conflict with another student, he or she can review the components of PEACE Talks before approaching the peace table.

P - PAUSE - STEP #1: Take time to cool off; Introduce PEACE Talks

• Students will stop, cool off, and find alternative and appropriate ways to express anger (if necessary).
• Introductions (if necessary).
• The Mediator explains the purpose and process of Peace Talks.
• The Mediator explains the role of mediator.
• The Mediator explains the confidentiality of Peace Talks.
• The Mediator explains the rules for Peace Talks; asks for questions; asks for agreement on rules.
• The Mediator praises students for participating in Peace Talks.
• The Mediator summarizes the basic steps of mediation.

E - EXPLORE - STEP #2: Explore the problem by talking and listening to each other.

• Using "I" messages each student states his/her feelings and the problem as he/she sees it.
• The Mediator restates the feelings and problems of the student.
• Each student reflects the feeling of the other and states the problem of the other as the other sees it.
• Each student states how he/she was responsible for the problem.

A - ASK - STEP #3: Ask questions and understand each other's needs.

• The Mediator asks open-ended questions to gain an understanding of the history of the problem.
• Mediator searches for common interests/needs of both students.

C - CONSIDER - STEP #4: Consider possible solutions.

• Students brainstorm solutions together.
• The Mediator records ideas on the Brainstorm Solutions Worksheet.
• Students choose a win/win solution.

E - ESTABLISH - STEP #5: Establish a Peace Plan.

• A. Confirm choice of solution.
• B. Formulate Peace Plan.
• C. Students commit to the Peace Plan by signing it.
• D. Summarize the Plan
• E. Students affirm each other.
   

RULES FOR PEACE TALKS AT THE PEACE TABLE

1. Treat each other with respect. Remember "I care for myself and others in what I say and do."
2. Speak kindly. No blaming, no name-calling, no put-downs.
3. Tell the truth. (We are not here to blame or punish but to solve the problem.)
4. Listen without interrupting.
5. Work together to solve the problem.
6. Keep the Talks confidentia