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Washington Junior High School Naperville Illinois

....Guidance

• Mr. Denemark 6^th Grade Pums and 8^th Grade
• Mrs. Awe 6^th Grade Cougars and 7^th Grade

Steve Denemark has been part of the WJHS counseling staff since August, 2000. Mr. Denemark earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from the University of Minnesota. He did graduate work in the field of Learning Disabilities at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and received a Master of Science degree in Guidance and School Counseling from Northern Illinois University. Mr. Denemark previously taught at Maplebrook Elementary School in Naperville. In the past, he has taught self-esteem classes for junior high students at the College of Du Page. Mr. Denemark is one of the coordinators for WJHS’s Peer Mediation program.

E-mail – sdenemark@ncusd203.org

Nanette Awe joined the WJHS in August, 2001.  Mrs. Awe earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Secondary Education from Concordia University in Nebraska. She has teaching experience in the middle and secondary school settings. She earned her Masters of Science degree in Guidance and School Counseling from Lewis University in Romeoville, IL. Mrs. Awe previously had been a school counselor at Minooka Junior High in Minooka, IL.

E-mail – nawe@ncusd203.org

The Washington Junior High Counseling Department provides the following services:

• Individual and small group counseling
• Classroom group guidance and counseling
• Involvement with parent/teacher conferences
• Staff and parent consultation
• New student orientation
• Class scheduling
• Peer Mediation
• 5^th grade transition to WJHS
• 8^th grade transition to NNHS
• Career Education program
• Student Assistant Program
• Involvement with Character Counts

Usually, the counselors meet with students during homeroom, supervised study, lunch, or before/after school.

Peer mediation is solving conflicts peacefully with the help of a mediator.

WHAT HAPPENS IN MEDIATION?

The disputants are scheduled for mediation, usually during lunch or supervised study. After arriving at the mediation room, the students meet the two mediators, who are 7^th and/or 8^th graders trained in peer mediation. There is also a counselor in the room. The mediators explain the rules and then ask the disputants to state what happened. After the mediators understand the problem, they ask the disputants to explore solutions. Then the disputants decide on one solution they both agree upon. The disputants sign a form agreeing to their solution. A follow-up meeting is scheduled for one or two weeks later.

Students fill out a peer mediation form which are in the classrooms and counselors’ offices. Students give the form to one of the counselors, who will schedule the mediation.