Positive reinforcement and conflict-resolution is an
important part of a school environment. My goal is to maintain a positive, safe, and fun environment for our
students throughout the school day.
For the 2012-2013 school year, I am planning to continue SOLVE IT at Greenbrier, the conflict-resolution
program, designed by Rebecca Ague, Ivy Hill Social Worker, that we began five years ago. The purpose of this
program is to develop a common language among staff and students that promotes
positive choices and conflict-resolution skills. In order to help students develop an assertive voice, this
program teaches them how to positively use their words in conflict
situations. This program will
continue to be used throughout the school setting including the classroom,
lunch, recess, and any other places where conflict occurs.
Within the next month, the students at Greenbrier will
have received a refresher training of the 8 steps of the SOLVE IT program and those who have not heard it will be taught for
the first time. The program
emphasizes appropriate eye contact, active listening, compromising, visualizing
a plan, exchanging ideas, problem-solving, good communication skills, and
sticking to a plan. Each step of SOLVE IT also incorporates the pillars
of Character Counts including Responsibility, Citizenship, Respect, Caring,
Fairness, and Trustworthiness.
In conjunction with SOLVE IT, we are also continuing Peer Mediators at Greenbrier. The Peer
Mediators program is an opportunity to encourage the fifth graders to become expert
conflict solvers. By becoming
“experts” at SOLVE IT, the fifth graders can use the skills they have learned
and help develop these same skills and concepts in the younger students, grades
1-3. The fifth graders will be presented with the
idea of what a peer mediator is and then asked to apply to be a peer mediator
if it is of interest to them.
I
will be selecting a certain number of students from the 5th grade to become
peer mediators this year. Then, I
will be splitting them into small groups to cover each of the lunch and recess
times one day a week for the remainder of the school year. Their position as peer mediators will
be to help facilitate the SOLVE IT conflict resolution program as needed, while
also building positive relationships with the younger students. Conflicts may include disagreements
over games, friendship problems, etc.
Please note that any conflicts that involve physical violence (which is
rare), bullying, or a problem that the peer mediators feel they cannot handle
will be handled by the playground supervisors as it has been done in the
past.
In
order to become “expert” conflict solvers, the 5th grade students will be
participating in several trainings during their lunch recess time. The trainings
will include topics such as: how to be a successful mediator, compromising,
using “I” messages, the SOLVE IT program, and advanced active listening
skills.
I am looking forward to a great year. Let's SOLVE IT!
