This is a photo of a collage created by the graduating class of 1997 under the direction of art teacher Ruth Stanislaus. It was a gift to the P.S. 261 Campus and hangs above the stairway leading down to our auditorium
The Conflict Resolution Program on the P.S. 261 Campus is now in it's tenth year. It continues to improve and have an incredibly "global" and pacifying effect on students, teachers, administrators, parents, paraprofessionals, and lunchroom staff; in other words, virtually everybody and anybody affiliated with the 261 Campus. P.S. 261 is a campus where conflicts do take place, but not a place where many fights occur. This is due in large measure to the Conflict Resolution Program and its incredible impact on the Campus. Students know how to solve their problems peacefully and are proud to do so. In addition, they are encouraged to use their mediation skills by teachers, administrators, and school-wide student mediators.
The Conflict Resolution Program at 261 is really an outgrowth of a joint intiative by Community School District 15, Educators for Social Responsibility (ESR), and the New York City Board of Education Resolving Conflict Creatively Program (RCCP). Launched over ten years ago, the program has provided training in Conflict Resolution for students, teachers, administrators, and parents in District 15 schools, including 261. The program has subsequently outreached to several more districts in New York City. It currently boasts a nationwide agenda.
At the heart of the program is the training of student mediators whose main function is to mediate conflicts between students during lunchtime(s). For example, on the 261 Campus there are three lunch periods with two pairs of mediators present in each. In all, there are 48 mediators who have received approximately three to five days of intensive training in mediation skills. They learn appropriate questioning techniques, "active listening" skills, and additional strategies for helping others to solve their problems.
Carmen (Millie) Fulford is one of the coordinators of the Conflict Resolution Program on the P.S. 261 Campus. She is also a Teacher-Director of one of the P. S.261 Campus' four schools - The New Program. She was interviewed by Lauren Schirripa and Kendrick Murphy.
Q: What is your role in the mediation program at P. S. 261?
A: Sheila Brooks and I are coordinators of the mediation program at P. S.261. We organize the training and meet with the mediators bi-weekly.Q: How do you think most conflicts start in our school?
A: Often conflicts start because of misunderstandings and because kids are really angry about other things and not the current problem.Q: Do you use your mediation skills outside of 261? If so, how?
A: Yes, I use them at home with my family when I see a conflict about to start. I also use them with my friends.Q: How did the mediation program start at P.S. 261?
A: About ten years ago a woman named Linda Lantieri visited P.S. 261 and asked some of the teachers if they would try some of her ideas to help kids resolve conflicts peacefully. We said "yes" and we've really enjoyed teaching conflict resolution skills ever since.Q: Have you received any mediation training yourself?
A: Yes, I received training ten years ago.Q: How has the mediation program at P. S. 261 been going?
A: It has been going on for eight to nine years and is popular and probably won't get dull. Many kids want to join and it's hard to choose mediators. If kids don't get chosen we give them other opportunities.Q: How has the school and its students changed since mediation?
A: There are a lot fewer fights and kids can go to a mediator to help them resolve their conflicts. Sometimes mediators complain that there aren't enough fights since kids choose to talk out problems instead of hitting one another.Q: How do you see the mediation program at P. S.261 growing and improving by the year 2000?
A: I see the program expanding. For instance: kids in the program sharing their skills with members of the community and teaching the community how to resolve conflicts peacefully. I would also like to see the program get even more support and an improvement in the children's mediation skills"Jawing With Judi" Judi Aronson is the [new] principal on the 261 Campus. She is the glue that holds us together. Judi was interviewed by Lauren Schirripa and Yousef Moslih.
Q: What is your role in the mediation program at 261?
A: I work with Millie Fulford and Sheila Brooks who are the two coordinators of the mediation program. I also meet with the mediators.Q: How do you think most conflicts start in our school?
A: I think most fights and arguments begin in our school because people don't listen to each other.Q: Do you use your mediation skills outside of 261? If so, how?
A: Yes, I try to use my mediation skills on my husband, kids, and at staff meetings.Q: How did the mediation program start at P.S. 261?
A: The mediation program began at 261 several years before I arrived. I fully support the program and plan to have all students and teachers trained.Q: Have you received any mediation training yourself?
A: I received my training in mediation several years ago from the woman who started it all in our district (15) - Linda Lantieri from the Resolving Conflict Creatively Program (RCCP).Q: How has the mediation program at P. S. 261 been going?
A: The mediation program has been going very well. There have been very few fights. The children know they have a choice and they have been choosing to resolve their conflicts peacefully.Q: How do you see the mediation program at 261 growing and improving by the year 2000?
A: I would like to see parents get trained in mediation skills and get more involved in the program in general. I would also like to see the students using their mediation skills at home and in the street."Sharing With Sheila" 
Sheila Brooks is a third grade teacher in the school's Discovery Program and also serves as one of the Conflict Resolution Coordinators (Millie Fulford is the other). She was interviewed by Shanice Coombs and Susana Cepeda.
Q: What is your role in the mediation program at P. S. 261?
A: I am one of the two coordinators. I help train the mediators, supervise them, and help them with their problems.Q: How do you think most conflicts start in our school?
A: Most of the conflicts start because of misunderstandings which become exaggerated. The children don't talk things over.Q: Do you use your mediation skills outside of P. S. 261? If so, how?
A: Yes, I use my skills with my family during conflicts or potential conflicts.Q: How did you get started in the mediation program at P. S.261?
A: I was one of the first teachers to be trained in mediation when the program was introduced to the school ten years ago. I have attended many workshops sponsored by Educators for Social Responsibility (ESR).Q: How has the mediation program at P. S. 261 been going?
A: It has been really excellent. The school has become a much better and peaceful place.Q: How has the school and its students changed since mediation?
A: It has become more peaceful and calmer. There is less fighting and more cooperation amonst students.Q: How do you see the mediation program at P. S. 261 growing and improving by the year 2000?
A: I hope that by the year 2000 all the children in the school will become mediators and that they will use their mediation skills to resolve conflicts.
The Conflict
I. Introduction
1. Introduce yourselves as mediators.
2. Ask those in the conflict if they would like your help solving the problem.
3. Find a quiet area to hold the mediation.
4. Ask for agreement to the following:
5. Try to solve the problem.
6. No name calling.
7. No interrupting.
II. Listening
8. Ask the first person, "What happened?" Paraphrase.
9. Ask the first person how s/he feels. Reflect the feelings.
10. Ask the second person to describe what happened. Paraphrase.
11. Ask the second person how s/he feels. Reflect.
III. Looking for Solutions
12. Ask the first person what s/he could have done differently. Paraphrase.
13. Ask the second person what s/he could
have done differently. Then
paraphrase.
14. Ask the first person what s/he can do
here and now to help solve the
problem. Paraphrase.
15. Ask the second person what s/he could do right now. Paraphrase.
16. Use creative questioning to bring disputants closer to a solution.
IV. Finding Resolutions
17. Help both disputants find a solution they feel good about.
18. Repeat the solution and all of its
parts to both disputants and ask if each
agrees.
19. Congratulate both students on a successful mediation.
20. Fill out a mediation report form.
