Peer Mediation

Peer Mediation

WHAT IS PEER MEDIATION?

Peer Mediation is conflict resolution by trained student mediators.

WHY USE PEER MEDIATION?
Usually, two or more students are having a dispute (disagreement or argument). It is not a physical dispute. A teacher, administrator or the students themselves select mediation as a way to defuse the situation. The administrator can recommend mediation as an alternative to the school disciplinary channel.

HOW DOES IT WORK?
The person recommending the mediation will fill out a “Mediation Request Form”. They are available in the Guidance and Dean’s Offices. The form is sent to the Guidance Office. 

The Guidance Office will then set up a mediation session. Passes will be issued to the mediators and the disputants (students having the conflict). A session usually is called for the following day and lasts approximately 20 minutes. The sessions are held in the peer mediation room in the Guidance Office. An adult, trained in mediation, will be nearby but will not participate.

RESULTS:
If both parties agree to a solution, a formal agreement is signed. It is kept in the Guidance Office for the remainder of the school year. If the parties cannot come to a solution, a second session can be scheduled at the discretion of the supervising counselor. If they feel it is not productive, the disagreement can be returned to the person who made the initial referral.

WHO CAN BE A MEDIATOR?
Sayville Middle School Peer Mediators are seventh or eighth graders who are selected in the fall of each school year.  They can volunteer themselves or recommend others during our annual volunteer drive. These students are trained by our Guidance Staff members that have been certified to train peer mediators. Our peer mediators are also given a refresher training session once a year.