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SUSPENSION
OR
MEDIATION?Q & As
Peer Mediation
Who Are Peer Mediators?
Peer mediators are students who have been trained in conflict resolution and the mediation process.
What Do They Do?
Peer mediators attempt to bring about a peaceful settlement or compromise between disputants through their objective intervention.
What Do Peer Mediators Learn in Training?
Peer mediators learn: leadership skills; communication skills; social problem-solving skills; how to remain neutral and non-judgemental in the conciliation process; and responsibility for their own actions and decisions. Peer mediators experience the feeling of helping others.
What Are the Benefits of a Peer Mediation Program?
The Peer Mediation Program:
1. promotes a positive school culture;
2. could replace or reduce a potential suspension when successful;
3. assists disputants to learn more effective conflict resolution strategies to prevent future situations;
4. helps both mediators and disputants develop their communication skills;
5. eases time pressure on administrators by allowing some issues to be resolved by mediators; and
6. is a strategy that promotes positive classroom management.
When Can Peer Mediators Be Used?
There are various situations in which peer mediation can be used. For example:
1. students can seek help on their own;
2. teachers and/or administrators can refer students for peer mediation if students and in some cases, parents, are in agreement; and
3. a suspension can be replaced or reduced by successful mediation of the parties involved. This would be at the discretion of the administrator. Parental permission would be required when the issue in question involves potential sanction.
What Types of Situations Can Be Referred to Peer Mediation?
The following are examples of the types of conflict that can be referred to peer mediation: arguments, teasing, harassment, name calling, rumours, horseplay, conflict with peers, verbal exchanges and misunderstandings....

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