We Can Work It Out
Peer Mediators at Murch are role models and leaders of the school community. Selected through an application process, these specially trained fifth graders mediate non-physical conflicts that occur on the playground and in the classrooms.
Every day, several peer mediators are stationed around the playground and blue top for both the lower grades’ recess and the upper grades’ recess as well as in individual classrooms during indoor recess. These students also lead mediations of conflicts that arise in the classroom and are referred to the mediators by a teacher.
All peer mediators go through a 10-12-hour training before they assume their responsibilities. The program trains mediators to undertake abbreviated mediations on the playground where the conflicts are occurring and to lead full mediations, in a confidential, private place, when conflicts cannot be resolved on the playground. The program’s advisors meets weekly with all peer mediators to discuss problems, frustrations and update skills.
Peer Mediator advisors: guidance counselor Lauren Miller and former fifth-grade teacher and Murch substitute teacher Vicki Otten.