Cleveland Public Schools - Winning Against Violent Environments (W.A.V.E.)
The W.A.V.E. Conflict Resolution Center
In a student voice, "The W.A.V.E. (Winning Against Violent Environments Program) Center means peace to me. It means peace to me because I can come and talk to someone. If I ever have a problem I can feel safe to tell anyone in the program because I know if I tell one of them that it will be kept confidential.
The W.A.V.E. Center first opened in 1991, and provides numerous services.
For students, The Center
-is home to the W.A.V.E. mediators who provide mediation and conflict resolution services to their school and the district
-provides a space in the school for students when they are in conflict — they can request a mediation referral form to fill out, talk to one of the students or staff on duty, find out what options that exist, or just cool off before they decide what to do next
-is one of the most comftorable places in the school and provides students with personal attention, mental and emotional support, a shoulder to cry on, a place to vent, tutoring help and school supplies
-provides a place for upper class students to reach out to students in other grades
-is a safe haven for students to seek refuge and help when faced with an intimidating or dangerous life situation
-provides students with a forum for their voices to be heard and the courage and power to speak in the school and the community
-provides a conference room where students from any school can opt to meet on neutral territory to talk through disagreements
-provides a place to network with other students and schools that are using conflict resolution and other peaceful methods to end violence
-provides a tranquil place for meetings with parents and/or teachers
"When I feel that I have a disagreement or have a conflict, I go to the mediation center. I’m not ashamed to tell someone when problems are occurring in school because then, instead of getting suspended or other bad consequences, I work my problems out."
-Student Marilyn Harrison, Grade 9
For School Staff, Teachers, Administrators and Security Personnel, The Center
-provides a place to bring students for mediation
-houses conflict resolution, mediation and violence prevention resources and materials
-a place to hold meetings
-provides mediation services for staff that are in conflict or want to mediate
In 1994, The W.A.V.E Center united with The Cleveland Public Schools Center for Conflict Resolution. The Center focuses on the following areas:
Training
-Provide school-based mediation and conflict management training for students, staff and parents
-Coordinate student programs and their advisors to insure implementation and longevity
-Identify all students that are trained in the district
-Link community organizations to where the trained students live to form a network to reduce violence
-Provide youth intervention to create peaceful schools
-Provide comprehensive conflict resolution programming classroom management, school organization and academic infusion
Leadership Development
-System wide activities for students, staff and parents
-Conferences, festivals, contests, large group events
-System wide programming for peaceful schools
-Disseminate information and resources in the field on conflict resolution
-Engage students, staff, parents and the community in activities that address equity and justice issues
Community Collaboration
-Network with groups working to reduce violence
-Collaborate with community stakeholders
-Work with:
Educational Policy
-Link with other programs working on school climate issues
-Provide professional development
-Sponsor a think tank on issues of school violence
-Develop classroom and system wide curriculum
-Provide a forum for policy development with students
The Center for Conflict Resolution in located with the Winning Against Violent Environments Program at the Martin Luther Kin Law and Public Service Magnet High School/Middle School, 1651 East 71 Street, Cleveland, Ohio, 44103. Contact Carole Close, Kathy Lechman and the student mediators at (216) 432-4605 or Fax (216) 431-5180.
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