European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - December 21, 1992, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Page 8 the stars and stripes education monday december 21, 1992 5th-graders learn to Settle own squabbles by Gary Pomeroy staff writer Frankfurt Germany a they Haven to crated up the Bench outside the principals office at Frankfurt elementary school yet. But these Days fewer fifth graders arc making the final Slop there before Quot visiting the ultimate authority a thanks to a program that allows fifth Grade pupils to solve problems among themselves. Peer mediation As it is known enables the children to face specially trained classmates instead of taking that Long stroll to the Bench a and principals office a and risk parental involvement and possible detention. A we feel they can solve their own conflicts a said Barbara Dubnick the fourth and fifth Grade Counselor and driving Force behind peer mediation. A kids respect other kids and listen to the other  exempt from peer me Jaime diction arc incidents involving weapons drugs or violence three rare problems at the school Dubnick said. The peer mediation idea came from a television report on a new York schools program that Dubnick saw while on Home leave. She started the program at her school last school year. She also was inspired by a motivational speech delivered in Frankfurt last year by Jawanza Kun Jufu head of a Chicago firm called african american images. Kun Jufu encouraged educators to a take the negative leaders and make them role models for Peers a Dubnick said. Ten mediators at Frankfurt elementary a two from each 28-Pupil class a were elected by classmates to enter the training. A we asked for someone students liked respected and maybe someone with experience in trouble a Dubnick said. The three half Day and one full Day training sessions got the 10 out of class but they had to make up the work they missed. The pupils received training in communication leadership and solving problems Dubnick said. Additionally the children Learned about feelings and did some role playing. The new skills were displayed by four mediators in a mock session after the trainees were introduced during a recent Assembly in the school gymnasium. The scenario was this Jaime Gonzales had knocked a Ball away from Chanta Morgan As Chanta played foursquare a game similar to hopscotch and played with a Ball. Jaime admitted what he did stating he was getting even for some rumours that he thought Chanta was spreading about him. Mediator Shanika Kenon asked Chanta to describe How she Felt about the incident. A angry a Chanta said. Mediator Devon Handley asked Jaime the same question a angry a Jaime said a because 1 thought she was spreading rumours about  after their feelings were clarified Chanta and Jaime were asked How they thought such an incident could be avoided in the future. Chanta did no to hesitate. A amps Jim de Helm Jaime Gonzales and Chanta Morgan shake hands after they resolve a problem with the help of peer mediators Devon Handley left and Shanika Kenon partially hidden at right at Frankfurt elementary. A i think its important to Stop jumping to conclusions a she said. Jaime mentioned the importance of asking the alleged source about the rumours. Problem solved. Case closed. Bench empty. The elapsed time for All of this was about a minute. And except for the fact that the foursome barely spoke above whispers it was All pretty natural despite the presence of 130 Peers some faculty members and a few camera wielding adults. After the demonstration Jaime 11, said the training has helped him to a understand Peoples feelings  plans Call for expanding the program to fourth graders in january Dubnick said. The fifth Grade peer mediators will assist with the fourth graders training. After a presentation for All assistant principals and Counselor in the Frankfurt District Dubnick said the program is spreading. The District superintendent Marcia Johnson said that it is a District goal to a get every school to be doing something. We re trying to prepare these kids for the 21st Century and problem solving and critical thinking is a part of the  Johnson said there Are six schools in the process of training mediators. Frankfurt Middle school has taken on the program As a sixth Grade project and plans eventually to expand it to the seventh Grade she said. Babenhausen Aschaffenbur and Darmstadt elementary schools and Aukamp elementary school in Wiesbaden Are in some stage of the program. Daniel Osgood principal at Aschaffenbur said the school is in the beginning stages of the program having rules for fighting fair these guidelines Are used in Frankfurt elementary school s a a a a peer mediation training. They dmm Are taught to each fourth and fifth Grade class and posted in the classrooms. 1. Identify the problem. 2. Focus on the problem. 3. Attack the problem not the person. 4. Listen with an open mind. 5. Treat a person s feelings with respect. 6. Take responsibility for your actions. A amps Susan Harris source fighting fair published by the Grace Contro Abrams peace education foundation in Miami Beach Fla. Introduced it to fifth and sixth graders. A a we be solicited volunteers to get parental approval to Belonje mediators Quot Osgood said and a sixth graders Are particularly excited about it. We re endorsing it and will implement it and use it when the need  the school plans to Start the program after Christmas. Contributing to this report education writer Jimi Jones in Darmstadt Kayla wants a Little something for Santa too dear Santa i am 8v years old. I Hope you can read cursive writing. This is what 1 want a dough nutters for the family toys for the orphanage baby roller Blade or. Frosty Little miss singing Mermaid Little miss magic hair a Shaker maker and a big glitter dome for me. May i ask you a question do you get presents yourself i Hope you do if not i will get you one. Your Friend Kayla Maddox dear Santa All i want for Christmas is one wonderful gift for my Mommy and daddy a me 1 was due mid december but it looks like i am going to be born late. All i ask for is a birthday before the holidays so i can spend it in my parents arms. Thank you Christopher Brian Sarabia to my mamas belly other letters to Santa include Terrence Maddox Pamela Mcbride Porcia Hendrix Anthony Blanco Kara Roeske Erica feel Ashley Zach Chris Lewis Crystal Vlastelic Chelsea Roy Tammy to Mcbride Vanessa i Insalaco Wesley Kirkbride Daniel Diaz Rivera Michael Bradford Aaron Del Balzo biscuit Mccool Christine Ridenhour Jacob Roy Jeffrey Bandler Ashlee Blanco Katie roes a Kelvin Diaz Rivera Cyndi Goldsmith Valerie Mcgraw t j. Mccool Samantha Alva Bryan Kerne r Tamira Butler Lesley Wilson Charles Mcintyre Ashley Cashin Adam Stege Justin Daniel Ortie Eric Nicho Amanda Rushing Devanie Klaene Joe t Rautman Tommy Tully Levi Green Phyllis Rowe Ryan Dunlap Erik Mitchell Karmit Martin Carlos Sanchez Ashlay Grindrod Alix Sklaren Raymond Bradley or. Keela Underwood Nicole Rogers Dan Feita flick Zoe Whitney Lindsey Roberts Devon Wilford Jordan Dickman Becky Miller Justin Nabity Marcus Mcintyre Tommy Koziar Jessica Ridenhour Moria Wirebaugh Martin Concepcion Bryant Ortie Christina Crawford Shelly Chandler Erik Wright Crystal Hawkins Epy Castillo Tyler Heath Nick lad son Tiffany Braley Danny Unk Yvonne Gabriel Danielle Blake Cory Bridgette Adams Jett Yeager Ryan Holt Grace Dombrigues Michael grazeta or. Delores Hess Renato Cabamalan Paddy Jackson or. Nickolas Miller Fay Braina Gobert Kara Lyn Mcintyre Charles Jones Beth Brenner Trystan Wirebaugh Chad Concepcion Kay Lind Holmes Amber Stanger Brian Yeager John Raines Derrick Hawkins chs Castillo Christopher Fisher Nicole Royce Tabatha Braley Klitgord Martin Brandon Trueblood Anja Claus Jacob Humphrey Rachel Stevenson Tak Eeler Fonte Amelia Buttolph Jacob Dover Zachary Whitney Carla Hollis Damon Wilford Jessica Carpenter