Throughout the school year, the Peer Leaders are furthering their leadership skills as well as utilizing those skills throughout the school. In August, the Peer Leaders participated welcoming the incoming freshman into the High School. In addition, they have taught a 9th grade lesson on peer pressure and are possibly looking forward to having another one on a different topic sometime during the school year. They visited every 9th grade Social Studies class and led an activity involving three stations about peer pressure in relationships, drugs,and alcohol.

In order to be able to lead a lesson or mediate between other students, the Peer Leaders undergo thorough training during team building exercises which they receive at trips such as Shelter Island, Project C.A.R.E., and other off-site training. For Peer Mediation, Mr. Shelly Shuman was a great teacher in showing the Peer Leaders how to approach an issue, mediate, and resolve it between two students. Either the students could talk to an adult about the issue or they could talk with the peer leader(s) to help keep a peaceful environment and bring them to a mutual agreement. Some of the Leaders have already gone in and the results are promising.

The Peer Leaders have also been visiting the Special Education classes every month teaching important life skills and lessons. When the Peer Leaders visit, both the students and leaders have an instant smile. Of course it was scary at first, but they have been building bonds with their buddies and learning to work together in an environment that might not be so familiar.  

They will soon be training with Mr. Shulman once again and visiting Daniel Street Elementary school to visit 5th graders and teach them important lessons. The Peer Leaders are very excited and looking forward to teaching young students. They have already started scouting for the PL class of 2020, so if you or somebody you know is interested please come to room 116 in the high school. They are looking for hardworking, reliable people, who are willing to work with and help others.