Friends School of Minnesota’s nationally recognized conflict resolution program was started to help create and maintain a peaceful community with the understanding that the communication skills that students learn translate into other parts of their lives, where they have a peaceful effect on other people and communities.
Our conflict resolution program is rooted in the Quaker testimonies of peace, integrity, equity, community, and stewardship. The program has been an important part of daily life at our school since its founding in 1988.
Our Program…
- gives children the tools they need to develop their social-emotional skills to help them be successful problem solvers at school and in the greater community.
- models that conflict is a part of life and that we can address conflict openly and stay in relationship.
- helps create a more peaceful classroom.
- gives our teachers a process for how to help children navigate conflict so that they will eventually not need as much adult intervention.
- helps our teachers have more confidence in working with children to address conflict and stay in relationship.
We Offer Training for Other Schools
From its inception, our conflict resolution program was designed to be shared with other schools. Throughout the years we have trained teachers and administrators in other schools. Through our training program they learn how to guide children in resolving conflicts while staying in relationship.
This year we have been working with Mara Films* to update our conflict resolution training videos. We are incredibly proud of how the video highlights the work that is happening daily in our building. We are also incredibly proud of our teachers, students, and alum for so thoughtfully highlighting our program just by being themselves, participating in the program, and reflecting on how the program has helped them.
Drumroll Please…
Here is one of the videos. It gives a quick overview of the program.
Note:*A special thanks to Mara Films (FSMN parents). We could not have done this amazing work without your partnership.
If you are a family member of an FSMN student and you want to learn more about the program, including the FSMN Conflict Resolution at Home program, look for the conflict resolution family night we offer each fall. If you are a school and you are curious about conflict resolution training for your school, check out our conflict resolution page.
