The Peer Helpers is a formal group at the Middle School who assist with promoting a positive, welcoming atmosphere. Students are chosen by the school counselor after a lesson has been completed on school climate and positive peer interactions. Students are then asked to reflect on the natural talents of their peers.
“We discussed how some people excel at being aware of when others are hurting or need extra attention and then have the ability to act on their concerns in an appropriate way,” said Holly Kaczmark, 7th Grade Counselor. “Each student was then given a survey, and everyone was given the opportunity to cast a vote for students who they thought had the skills to be a good Peer Helper. Every attempt was made to keep this from being a popularity contest.”
Students chosen to participate go through six hours of training and meet every other month. Students help in a variety of age-appropriate ways, including:
Being a welcome buddy for new students.
Helping with the moving up day activities for the 5th graders.
Being present during August locker set-up days to assist incoming students with opening their lockers and setting them up.
Helping out another student who is feeling isolated or targeted.
Being a sounding board for counselors.
Being ambassadors of goodwill, positive role models, and being alert to the needs and concerns of others.
There are separate cohorts of peer helpers in both 7th and 8th grade. The 7th grade was recently nominated by their peers, and a training was held for them across two half days in December. The training focused on
Getting comfortable with each other
Student’s passions and dreams
Who already listens to me and supports me?
Change: examples of how small groups can change the world
Disabilities awareness: challenges are all around us
Being purposeful about random acts of kindness
How can I make a difference?