Teaching the ABC’s of Peace
by Dr. Carole G. Hankin with Randi T. Sachs

For as long as history, there have been wars and conflicts. More recently we have witnessed anger and conflict in children who have changed schools from formerly safe havens to places where they often feel threatened.

In Syosset Schools, we have had programs to teach our students how to get along with one another for some time. This year we have expanded these programs at both ends of the student population. In Syosset High School, we now have a four-year Peer Leadership program. Students can enter the program at any time, or they can begin in ninth grade as “Peer Helpers” (our newest addition to the program) and continue through grade twelve. A program within our Health curriculum, these students—who must obtain teacher recommendations—are trained in how to mediate conflicts between peers or even groups of people with opposing views. An important component of this program has been visits to elementary schools, where they hold sessions on bullying and conflict resolution with classes in grades three and four. This has been an enormous success and this year we have decided to expand the program throughout the District to teach peer mediation to our older elementary students.

I had the opportunity to attend the initial meeting of one of our elementary school’s newly formed peer mediator groups. This school has named its program PEACE CHATS (Peer Educators Acting on Conflicts Effectively, Chatting About Thoughtful Solutions). At their meeting, the principal told the fifteen students in fourth and fifth grade that they were chosen because they have shown themselves to be responsible, fair, good listeners, and good school citizens.

Each student was given a certificate and a button to wear to let their fellow students know that the program is now in operation. Before they can assume the role of mediators, they will all participate in a program of training. Together, they will learn how to communicate, different approaches to problem solving, and how to apply their critical thinking skills during the mediation process.

The students were very excited about their new responsibilities, and full of ideas on how they could promote peaceful conflict resolution among their peers. They plan to create and display inspirational posters and to design a board game that will teach younger students the right steps to take in finding a peaceful and acceptable solution to a conflict between friends and classmates.

The Peer Mediators will be working both outside during recess and inside in the PEACE CHATS Mediation Center that has been set up in one of the school’s classrooms. It was great to see the enthusiastic response that the students, teachers, and administrators have to this new program. It should be noted that the introduction of our Peer Mediation program is not a reaction to an increase in conflict in our schools. We are fortunate to be in a community that supports our children and has elected a forward thinking and proactive Board of Education. But the issue of conflict resolution is one that we can never be complacent about. We are starting with our youth to create leaders who will help maintain peace in our schools and in this world.#

Dr. Hankin is superintendent of Syosset Central School District. Randi Sachs is Public Information Officer of Syosset Schools.

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