Excitement was in the air at the November character assemblies for Readfield and Parkview Elementary Schools.
New London Police Department Chief Jeff Schlueter arrived at Parkview Elementary School and Waupaca County Circuit Court Honorable Judge Hoffmann visited Readfield Elementary School to swear in Peer Mediators.
School Counselor Shandee Kempf explains that students who find themselves in a conflicting situation with peers have the option of signing up for peer mediation. Mediation typically takes about 10 to 15 minutes, and is completed during recess time so that students aren’t missing instruction time.
Prior to leaving the mediation, a contract is signed that indicates a peaceful resolution, and mediators work to ensure that both sides have communicated their side of the story.
Students who experience ineffective resolutions are encouraged to sign up for mediation again. They are reminded that they can always ask for help from an adult, too. All mediations are facilitated by trained fourth grade students and supervised by an adult. Peer Mediators participated in a training session Oct. 21 at Readfield Elementary School.
Peer mediation is also available to students at Lincoln and Sugar Bush elementary schools and the Intermediate/Middle School.