The school staff and administration at Taku Elementary were concerned about student conduct and potential conflicts on the playground and decided to start a mediator program through Safe and Drug Free Schools. Since the grant money from SDFS cannot be used for food expenses, we approached the Anchor Park Methodist Church and asked for their support to provide meals for our students and staff and space for three days of mediator training.
The church agreed to let us use their facility which includes two large building and six classrooms. Church members came each day to cook meals, serve food, and interact with the children. In appreciation, the children created a Taku Tiger that hung in the church for several weeks.
The church members have provided gloves, mittens, snow pants, and money for needy families as a result of our partnership. The church has made their facility available to our staff for staff retreats and inservice
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This partnership has provided the church with a positive outreach experience. The members’ understanding of the needs of public schools have increased. They have developed a deeper understanding of families in poverty and the challenges they face. The partnership has also provided church members an opportunity to live out their faith in real and practical ways. It has given students and church members inter-generational interactions and contacts.
The students at Taku felt cared for by adults outside of their regular circles. They had an increase in their understanding of community service. (At first they were confused about why strangers would open their doors to them.) Forty mediators were trained for the Taku playground. Children were taught problem solving and mediation skills. Taku students were fed, clothed and had their needs met by the church. This was a great opportunity for children to interact with senior volunteers.
The staff at Taku was impacted because the partnership with APUM made it possible for the mediator program to become a reality. The monies provided, the beautiful facility in which to hold events, the volunteer time and energy, all made the job of the staff easier. They were able to devote their time to the children rather than dealing with logistics. |
