But we get them to go a little deeper, too. The team also helps DePlatchett get a handle on what students' worries are. We can be sure there are no disenfranchised groups. Whenever students need or want to talk about a burning issue, such as racism or the Columbine High School shootings in Colorado, they gather in circles in each classroom and discuss what, if anything, the school can do to ease tensions or help students cope with difficult situations. Peer counselors help coordinate the study groups and help determine when one is needed, DePlatchett said.
Faculty members play a role, but it is secondary.
Most high schools handle crisis situations differently and don't rely so heavily on the students, she said. We're gearing up . . . We need those kids, they are our touchstones.