Peer Mediation

Peer Mediation at Sizer

Conflict is all around us. Whether with another student, a family member or a teacher we all deal with conflict. When students are experiencing conflict it impacts their performance both in and out of classes. In Sizer students have a way to work out their conflicts peacefully.

What is mediation?

Mediation is a way for students to work out their conflict with the help of a neutral third party, called a Mediator.

How does it work?

A mediator is a neutral person who listens to people talk about what happened and helps them figure out a way to make things right. Mediators do not solve the problem. They help the students to solve the problem for themselves.

When mediators work with students:
• They remain neutral – they don’t take sides or judge
• They listen respectfully to each student
• They keep information confidential (with exceptions)
• They don’t tell students how to work it out – it’s up to the students to determine how to resolve their conflict

By working with a community agency, Mediation Services of North Central MA, Inc., Sizer is able to have a professional mediator on staff two days a week. Mark Goguen coordinates all mediations and trains the student mediators. Ms. Huston meets with each student prior to scheduling a mediation to determine if the situation is appropriate for mediation.

Mr. Goguen can be reached at the school Monday and Thursday or by email is [email protected]