Students decided four years ago to settle conflicts with words rather than fists. Students in grades 3-6 can volunteer to be among the 25 who are chosen each year for peer mediation training. Including those trained in past years, who have not yet gone on to other schools, the school has nearly 50 mediators available each year. Along with adult supervisors, they patrol the playground and cafeteria during lunch periods looking for signs of trouble. If a conflict is spotted, the adversaries are invited to par ticipate in a mediation session.
Students can also seek out the mediators for assistance any time.
Administrators documented about 400 mediations last school year, and say that many more take place informally. I try to help people with their problems. It helps them get along. The Cincinnati Enquirer , a Gannett Co. Inc. newspaper.