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What is a Peaceable School?
By definition, a
peaceable school is an educational community that encourages
students to use conflict resolution skills to solve their own
conflicts and to take responsibility for their actions. Here at
Community School, it means that and a lot more. Each level spends
time integrating conflict resolution skills seamlessly into their
curriculum. We teach our students the “Big One”—to treat each
other, themselves and their environment with care. We learn about
our differences, and respect those, whether they are differences
in appearance, backgrounds, or opinions.
As coordinator of this
program, I believe that when we empower children with the skills
they need to communicate with one another to solve their own
conflicts in a way that works for them, we are teaching them that
we respect and trust them. Those feelings will stay with them
through their childhood and into their adolescence, a time when
they need them the most.
There are several
aspects to the Peaceable School program here at Community School.
First, the staff completes various training sessions through the
course of the year. Last year, we focused on nonviolent
communication, using a text by Marshall Rosenberg, Ph. D (please
see the resources section). This year, we will continue our study
of communication skills, looking not only at how we communicate
with others, but also we how we communicate with ourselves. A
second part of the program is parent education. Our goal for this
year is to host several parent discussion groups, with topics such
as effective discipline and healthy eating habits. The final, and
most important, part of our Peaceable School program is our
student group. In years past, a group of students (upper
elementary and middle school aged) have signed up and have been
trained as in peer mediation. This year, our students have
decided to expand their roles. To reflect this expansion, the
students have created a new name; we are now P.O.P—People of Peace. Not only are they trained peer
mediators, they are also planning activities (including
mini-plays, book times, and special POP-ins to build community)
for the younger students and a second food and supply drive for
the SPCA. This is a group of very motivated students who believe
in peace, justice, and friendship and want to promote those in
their community. We are fortunate to have them.
Being
A Peaceable School Means:
 “
"…teaching
tolerance and encouraging students to accept differences in each
other.”
–Middle School Teacher
“
"…having an environment that strives to have a
variety of opinions, people, and experiences that can operate
together.”
– School Administration Staff
"…letting kids work out disagreements on their
own.”
–Upper Elementary Student
Being A Peaceful
Person Means:
 “… being willing to compromise, to see another
point of view and to work cooperatively to resolve differences.”
–
Middle School Teacher
“…being polite
and respectful, working out conflicts responsibly, and staying
calm.”
–P.O.P.
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