Grade 5 and 6 students took a break from class Oct. 23 to train as peer mediators.
Sitting in a conference room donated by Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge, their notebooks rustled in a chorus of sliding paper as they listened to Jasper Elementary School teacher Paulette Trottier talk about effective communication.
Fifty-one students volunteered this year for the Kids Helping Kids training, a program the school has run for more than 20 years.
As they took a snack break, a group of giggling Grade 6 boys crowded into the balcony corner. The rambunctious group talked about why they wanted to participate in Kids Helping Kids.
鈥淭o skip school,鈥� yelled Elvis Gorontzy-Slacky, laughing and jumping on another boy.
鈥淎nd the lunch!鈥� Duncan McLeod blurted with a big grin.
As they jostled one another, the boys continued talking about being peer mediators.
McLeod started telling a story about a conflict he and his friends had recently encountered.
Some kids had been fighting and head-butting one another, he explained, when he and his friends jumped in to help. Using their peer mediation skills they stopped the fight.
The boys鈥� laughter died down as they glanced at one another to confirm the details of the story. As they continued, they set their jaws a little firmer, nodding to one another.
MacLeod explained how great it felt to help someone.
鈥淚 was proud of myself,鈥� he said.
Folding his arms behind his back Michael Ralf explained how mediating made him 鈥渇eel special, because I鈥檝e never had someone I鈥檝e had to help before.鈥�
Trottier explained that in the past the school used to be selective about whom they trained, but now it takes any student who shows interest.
Every student who wants to participate has to write a letter to Trottier explaining why, and if they do that, they are welcome to join.
鈥淩ight now, if they show an interest, we want to be there for them,鈥� she said.
She said although kids at the elementary school get along pretty well, the training is still important for the school, and for the lives of kids.
She explained that some of the kids need this kind of conflict management in their own lives, and having them at the training is good for everyone.
Having older students who are able to communicate effectively sets a mood at the school that trickles down, because the younger kids look up to them as role models.
鈥淚t adds a flavour to the school,鈥� she added.
Trevor Nichols
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