Students learn to resolve conflict

By WARREN DILLAWAY - Staff Writer
Star Beacon

December 04, 2008 10:48 pm

— SAYBROOK TOWNSHIP — Students from five different grades ate, laughed and shared ideas Thursday during the second day of training for peer mediation in Ashtabula Area City Schools.
“This is brand new. The superintendent (Joseph Donatone) mentioned it to me in June and asked me to research it,” said program coordinator Gail Deligianis.
Students participating in the program were recommended by teachers and administrators and included 12 eighth-graders, 11 ninth-graders, eight sophomores, five juniors and four seniors. Eleven adults were also involved in the training including Penny Senyak and Guy Burney of Ohio Network Training and Assistance for Schools and Community.
“We want to empower students to solve their own problems. The goal is to catch the problem before it escalates,” Deligianis said.
Beginning in January, students with minor disciplinary problems will be sent to this program, obtaining help from other students.
“The parties will come up with the solutions,” Deligianis said. She said a contract will then be created for both parties to sign.
The building coordinator of each program will be close by during all negotiations and will sign off on each contract, she said.
The program is being funded by several grants and state and federal programs, she said.

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