Peer Mediation at VPMS - Promising Pratice Winner 2007

Peer Mediation began at Valley Park Middle School in the summer of 2005 as a way of increasing student autonomy and helping foster an improved sense of community among our middle school students. Peer mediation allows students to bring their problems in front of a neutral third party and reach an agreement before the problem escalates.  The intent is to help reduce conflicts and encourage peace and understanding among students. Mediation helps to teach life skills, lowers incidents of violence and conflict, and makes school a safer place to learn. Students become better listeners, critical thinkers, and leaders as a result of being peer mediators.
In the summer of 2005, the school counselor and a teacher sponsor accompanied nine students to Southwest Missouri State University for peer mediation training, hosted by the 37th Circuit Court of Missouri. Students learned how to help their peers resolve conflicts through good communication techniques and the key skills of listening and responding. For two days, students and faculty members worked together to develop a plan to implement peer mediation in our school.
By allowing our students to develop their mediation skills, we are allowing students to be active in the problem solving process Students who learn these skills are more likely to gain the effective skills necessary to be a positive contributing member of a democratic and civil society.

Please contact Mrs. Steinkamp if you would like more information on our program or for your child to participate!