Peer Mediation/Communication Skills/Conflict Resolution

We do not always choose the conflicts that come into our lives BUT we can choose how we react to them. Conflict is both normal and an opportunity for growth.

At St. Francis we encourage students to use Merlin’s Totally Secret Answer to solve conflicts. Merlin’s Totally Secret Answer is to (Meet, Tell, Solve, and Agree). Students are encouraged to pick a good time to meet with the person they have a conflict with, to use paraphrasing in order to listen and “I” messages to tell their feelings and what happened, to use brainstorming to explore possible solutions, and decide who will do what, when, where, and how in order to agree to a win-win for both of them.

All fourth graders are trained in peer mediation skills each year. Fourth through Eighth grade students may choose to be peer mediators.

Kindergarten through 8^th grade students participate in several classes on respecting others and in communication skills yearly.

Schedule for Peer Mediation/Communications Skills 2011-2012

School Wide Bullying Prevention Program

During the 2011- 2012 school year we will continue to implement a school-wide plan to promote respect through the prevention of bullying.

BULLYING IS NOT TOLERATED IN OUR SCHOOL.

Bullying is intentionally hurting someone physically, with words, or by action over and over again.

• Physical bullying is unwanted physical contact that includes: hitting, pushing, shoving, pinching, kicking, grabbing, tripping, and similar activities.
• Verbal bullying includes: threats, put downs, making fun of or humiliation with words or pictures, laughing at or mocking, and name calling.
• Bullying by action includes: threatening looks or intimidation, rumors, gossiping, exclusion or alienation.
• Cyber bullying includes: any bullying action that occurs in emails, blogs, texting, IM, MY Space, Facebook, etc.

Our school rules are:

1.     We will not bully other students.

2.     We will help students who are being bullied.

3.     We will include students who are left out.

4.     If we know someone who is being bullied, we will tell an adult. This is called “responsible reporting”.

The definition and school rules will be discussed with each class during the first day of class and these will be posted in each classroom. During the year the teachers will use videos to promote discussion on respect and hold regular classroom meetings.

Consequences for being a bully:

First Offense: The student will discuss his/her actions with the teacher/staff member. The offense will be identified and the student will be clearly told that this must stop. A personal apology may be given by the student and a bullying behavior slip will be filed by the homeroom teacher.

Second Offense: Same as above.

Third Offense: The student will discuss his/her actions with the teacher/staff member and possibly the principal. Parents will be notified through a demerit, hang-in-there slip and/or phone call.

Fourth Offense: A parent conference will be held with the teacher/staff member and principal. Persistent violations will result in a detention, or in-school suspension, or silent snack or missed recess.

We believe our Peer Mediation, Communication Skills, Conflict Resolution, and Bullying Prevention programs will allow our entire school community to continue to live out a Christ-like life.