PMP Questions and Answers

Q: How much time will this program take from my schedule?

A: Depends on how many conflicts there are. However, the mediations will be spread out between the 16 mediators so that no one person is doing the bulk of the mediations or missing class excessively.

Q: What are the days and times that the training sessions will be held?

A: The student training dates are scheduled for April 16, 23, and 30 from 8:00am to 2:00pm each day at Skyline High School.  Selected students will receive this information in a formal letter.

Q: If you can't be a "counselor" and give advice, how are you helping them with the problem?

A: You will be helping them by asking questions that will help guide them towards a reasonable resolution that they choose and agree upon. When they choose the solution, they take ownership and responsibility.

Q: We're still a bit unclear on what Peer Mediation actually is.

A: Peer Mediation is when students help students resolve conflicts. Instead of having adults sit down and help students work through their conflicts, other students will take the place of adults after they have been trained in the mediation process.

Q: Can we do both Peer Mediation and NHS at the same time?

A: I don’t see why not. But you would have to determine how much time you can commit to each program and your academics.  It is better not to spread yourself too thin. 

Q: When do the mediation sessions take place?  After school?  During lunch?  During class time?

A: Mediations will take place anytime during the school day.  The 16 selected mediators will provide input on whether mediations will be daily or just on certain days.

Q: If the person does not come to the mediation session, what is the consequence or next step?

A: The program coordinators will follow up to see what happened. If the person does not want to go through the mediation process, that’s okay because it is a voluntary process. However, if that person continues the conflict, then administrative action will be taken.

Q: Could you describe the training process? How long would it take?

A: The training process is approximately15 hours spread over 3 school days. It is a mixture of games and activities that provide bonding time for the 16 students and 4 adults as well as time to learn and practice the skills necessary in the Peers Making Peace mediation process.

Q: What is the time commitment? 

A: You have to be available to do a mediation session at any given time during the school day. So you want to make sure that you are not overly involved in other areas to the point where you feel like you are always missing classes.  Academics should take priority over anything else. 

Q: When will the program actually begin?  Will it begin before the school year ends or will it began in the fall?

A: Once the student training is complete, the program can begin! It will begin before this school year is over and it will resume in the Fall.

Q: When do the mediators meet? Weekly?  Monthly?  During or after the school day?

A: The mediators will meet twice a month to discuss how things are going and practice their skills.  They will decide if that meeting is better during or after school depending on their schedules.

Q: In how many states is this currently active in?

A: I am not sure

Q: When will the interviews be held?

A: Interviews will begin the week of March 23rd.  We hope to be able to complete them before Spring Break which begins at the end of the day on April 1st!

Q: How does the actual mediation session work?

A: There will be two trained mediators and two students with a conflict in a private room. The mediators will use the techniques they’ve learned in the training to help the students with a conflict work through their conflict.  

Q: If I become a Peer Mediator will I have time for a sport?

A: Yes! The mediation sessions will occur during the school day. You will have time to go to practice and play your sport.

Q: Can this be included on college applications?

A: Yes! Most applications ask what types of extracurricular activities you participated in. That’s where you’d put this program in.  You could also talk about this program when asked what special skills you have.

Q: Who manages/oversees the whole peer mediation program?

A: Right now, there are 2 adult program coordinators that will oversee this program. As more adults are trained in the process, there could be more.

Q: If mediations happen during school times, is a student peer mediator/ student w/conflict excused from their class(es) that day/those days?

A: Yes all students (mediators and students involved in the conflict) will be excused from their class. However, it is the student’s responsibility to get the work they missed.

Q: How do students who are needing mediation go about requesting it?
A: There will be referral forms and drop off locations in various places throughout the building. These places will include all SLC offices, media center, and cafeteria.

Q: What if a mediator is involved in the conflict being mediated?
A: Then two different mediators will facilitate the mediation between the parties involved.

Q: What grade levels will be included?
A: All grade levels will be included. Selection is not based on grade level.

Q: What would a student mediator be getting out of it?
A: A student mediator will learn the value of helping others work through their conflicts. The mediator will also learn how not to give the solution, but rather to guide the people involved towards a solution of their choosing.  Finally, the mediator will learn a skill that they could use when trying to resolve their own conflicts in or out of school and for the rest of their lives.

Q: Do you have to stay in the program through high school or can you opt out after a while?
A: It is my hope that you would want to be a part of the program throughout high school. But if, after a year, you decide that you don’t really have the time to commit to the program, then you can “opt out” after a discussion with the program coordinators.

Q: When are the application forms due?
A: Applications are due by the end of the day Wednesday, March 10, 2010.

Q: How many times/how often would a student mediator be expected to serve in mediations?
A: Depends on the number of conflicts and how many mediation sessions are necessary.  But, the mediation sessions will be spread out amongst the 16 mediators so that no one is being pulled from class excessively.

Q: Is there any formal recognition for doing this?
A: I would like to have a display case with the pictures of the Skyline Peer Mediators. Any other suggestions would have to go through Principal Jackson.

Q: Do all other AAPS District High Schools have this Peer Mediation Program in use right now?
A: Pioneer High School has had the program for about 4 years now. Skyline, Stone, and Roberto are just beginning to implement the program this year.  Slauson middle school is also piloting this program this year.

Q: When was this program started?
A: I believe this program began in the late 1990’s