Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 7–Senators Wiener, Care,

McGinness, Porter, Titus and Washington

FILE NUMBER........

Whereas, All pupils, teachers and other school staff deserve a learning

and working environment that is safe and free from unacceptable behavior

by pupils, including violence and other activity that is disruptive of the

academic process; and

Whereas, During one 12-month period in 1997-1998, this Nation was

shocked when children opened fire on school grounds resulting in the tragic

loss of lives and needless injury in Arkansas, Kentucky, Mississippi,

Oregon and Pennsylvania; and

Whereas, The public schools in this state are increasingly reporting

incidents of violence and other unacceptable behavior by pupils on school

grounds, including violence against staff and other pupils and the

possession of dangerous weapons; and

Whereas, In 1991 the Board of County Commissioners of Clark

County established a Neighborhood Justice Center within its Department of

Social Services to assist residents of Clark County in resolving conflicts by

providing a forum for the impartial mediation of disputes and offering

referrals to appropriate services; and

Whereas, In 1992, the Neighborhood Justice Center began its Peer

Mediation Program, which is a form of alternative dispute resolution that

uses specially chosen pupils who are trained in mediation skills to facilitate

communication among pupils who are involved in a dispute and help the

pupils reach a solution to the dispute that is mutually acceptable; and

Whereas, In 1992, the Peer Mediation Program was offered in 2

schools of the Clark County School District and has since been expanded

into 57 schools; and

Whereas, Since the inception of the Peer Mediation Program, 7,660

disputes have gone through peer mediation, with a 90 percent rate of

success at resolving conflicts; and

Whereas, The Peer Mediation Program teaches pupils valuable life

skills, including communication skills, critical thinking skills and problem-

solving skills which pupils can use not only in the school setting but at

home and in the community; and

Whereas, When children resolve their own conflicts without resorting

to violence they learn to take responsibility for their own actions as well as

gain confidence in their ability to help themselves; and

Whereas, In recent years, many other schools throughout the Nation

have also developed peer mediation programs to assist pupils in resolving

conflicts without resorting to violence, including schools in Mississippi,

Arkansas, Kentucky, New York, Oregon and California; and

Whereas, With the success of the Peer Mediation Program in resolving

conflicts at school in a manner that is peaceable and mutually acceptable,

both pupils and educational personnel can concentrate on the importance of

academics free from the worry that disruptive acts of violence may occur

on school grounds at any time; and

Whereas, The Neighborhood Justice Center also offers the Culture of

Peace Program, which is deigned to teach juveniles and adults how to

reduce prejudice and resolve conflicts; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate of the State of Nevada, the Assembly

Concurring, That the members of the 70th session of the Nevada

Legislature commend the Board of County Commissioners of Clark County

and its Neighborhood Justice Center for their dedication to the success of

the Peer Mediation Program; and be it further

Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate prepare and transmit a copy

of this resolution to the Chairman of the Board of County Commissioners

of Clark County and to the Clark County Social Service Neighborhood

Justice Center.

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