CREATING A CULTURE OF PEACE* WITHIN SCHOOLS
An invitation to Maine K-12 schools to partner with the Peace Studies Program to address school climate concerns
Since 1996, the Peace Studies Program at the University of Maine has been assisting K-12 schools in fostering a positive school climate, and in teaching and learning conflict resolution, peer mediation, diversity education and related skills and practices. This work is supported by the Division of Family Health, Maine Department of Health and Human Services.
What is a "Culture of Peace" within a school?
We describe a Culture of Peace within a school as a safe, nurturing environment which:
- Promotes trust, empathy, compassion, belonging, nonviolence, diversity and understanding among all members;
- Cultivates positive interactions within a respectful community;
- Supports the teaching and learning of "Relational Literacy" -- skills, attitudes and practices that foster and strengthen human relationships; and
- Encourages excellence, positive emotional and academic development, critical thinking, leadership, and strong citizenship skills among all members.
What services can Peace Studies offer to schools
to build a Culture of Peace?
Introduction and training in an authentic dialogue process, Community Circles, to enhance connections and address school climate concerns;
Assistance in implementing Restorative Practices including conflict resolution, peer mediation and restorative discipline policies;
Use of resources from our lending library, which includes more than 300 books, curriculum manuals, "how to" guides, and videos on school climate, peer mediation, conflict resolution, bullying issues, diversity education, positive discipline and youth violence prevention for grades Pre-K through 12;
Consultation on various youth violence prevention and school climate issues.
"[W]hen students feel safe and secure, when they are not worried about being bullied or humiliated, and when they have a trusting relationship with a teacher, the learning process will be enhanced. A student who feels known in a positive way in school is more likely to behave in a caring, responsible manner and will be more motivated to achieve. It is difficult for the seeds of violence to flourish in a field in which students feel supported and respected."
Dr. Robert Brooks, psychologist, author and educator, in "The Violence at Red Lake: Further Reflections about Creating Safe Schools," April 2005, www.drrobertbrooks.com/.
For more information, call 207-581-2625 or email: barbara.blazej@umit.maine.edu.
* In 1998, the United Nations General Assembly voted to proclaim the decade of 2001-2010 as the International Decade for a Culture of Peace and Nonviolence for the Children of the World. For details on this global initiative, see www3.unesco.org/iycp/.
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