Many students at Jefferson Jr/Sr High School encounter conflicts, sometimes violent, on a regular basis.  Few know how to handle the conflicts peaceably and in such a way that they won't escalate into a worse situation.  The school's YFJ team members decided to tackle this issue by teaching their peers how to manage conflicts in their lives in a healthy, safe way.  The team decided to implement conflict mediation.  To begin, the team conducted a survey of 7th-9th graders, asking what types of violence students encountered most frequently.  Responses indicated that some of the more prevalent types included bullying, fights, and verbal arguments.  The team also learned from the surveys that violence occurs frequently as a result of a lack of communication and low self-esteem.  However, with mediation, students who might otherwise resort to conflict will use interpersonal communication to resolve their problems and learn to be proactive, not reactive.

The Jefferson Jr/Sr High YFJ team members gave their group the name “Conflict Managers.” The Conflict Managers held a special program at the beginning of the school year which informed the entire student body and staff of the impact of this program and encouraged full participation.  Students also traveled to Columbus to present their program to the Ohio School Board Association convention, as well as to a Jefferson Township Board of Education meeting.  The team sponsored a visit from Chief Magistrate Wilcoxson of the Dayton Courts who spoke to the team about the process of legal mediation and its similarities to the YFJ group's work.  The team involved the local media involved by conducting interviews with the local newspaper and even the television station.

The YFJ team set aside specific times that students could come to work out their conflicts both during the school day and after school.  The team members make announcements to the students using the school PA system.  They also made a DVD to show some of the initiatives in which the team was involved. 

By using the mediation method, students have a chance to look calmly at both sides of a problem, and come to a consensus to resolve problems together. The YFJ team is excited as some of the results of instituting conflict mediation program include a decrease in fights and student suspensions, and the ability for students to feel safe at school and to focus their attentions on schoolwork instead of fighting.