The group's goals are to provide both instruction and practice in pro-social behaviors, in a fun atmosphere with a small group of peers who share their successes with each other. Next, DMS Peer Mediators begin their training. During a mediation, struggling students are informed of some basic ground rules of respect. Then each of them is encouraged to describe the problem, without being interrupted by the other. The mediator then asks what each student might be able to do to eliminate or reduce the conflict.
Mediators hold every mediation in strict confidence.
At Dorseyville, volunteers are solicited in an effort to find interested boys and girls who possess excellent communication and leadership skills, and who represent all areas of our school community. Parent permission is required. The training consists of preliminary lunchtime meetings and a full day of intensive training, using materials provided by the Peace Education Foundation. The mediation team will offer its services schoolwide before the winter break begins. Counselors and Ann Stiles train mediators and manage the program.