Paul C. Bunn elementary students mediating student disputes, with much success

YOUNGSTOWN

Since the beginning of the school year, a group of Paul C. Bunn Elementary School students has worked to resolve conflicts among peers in 47 cases.

That’s 47 avoided fights and 94 students who didn’t have to go to the principal’s office.

“What’s most impressive about it is that, most of those cases the students referred themselves,” Principal William Baun said.

It indicates that students want to learn and to avoid conflict, he said.

Martha King, the school guidance counselor, started Bunn’s peer mediation team this school year. Nine students meet in pairs to help their classmates resolve problems peacefully.

She believes it’s a useful process in schools, businesses and the community in general.

“We wouldn’t have all of these shootings and killings if we had conflict resolution,” King said.

King said she learned about peer mediation from retired school counselors Marcia Haire-Ellis and Lynette Miller and has wanted to start one for years. She was unable to before this year because she divided her time between schools. This year, she’s at Bunn full time.

Read more from the students in Friday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.