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| High school violence has been steadily rising since the early 1990's thus bringing school
safety to the forefront, in response to this CYS has expanded and enhanced its school based
programs. Students Able to Resolve Situations Program is designed to give students the necessary
skills to resolve conflicts on their school campus. It is a school-based, student directed,
mediation program whose goal is to reduce campus violence, expulsions, suspensions, vandalism,
and truancy. Students participate in all aspects of the program, ranging from planning mediations
to facilitating mediations and spreading the word to other students. Becoming involved as a peer
mediator helps young people build self esteem, leadership skills, and conflict resolution skills.
School administrators have reported a significant decrease in fighting and other disruptive
behaviors on campuses that have institutionalized the STARS program. In 2001, STARS received an
award from the Los Angeles Board of Supervisors, as an " Outstanding Mediation Program".
STARS is currently helping school districts establish and support programs in 30 different schools
in the Centinela Valley area. School Districts participating in the STARS Program are: Hawthorne School District Los Angeles Unified School District Inglewood Unified School District Centinela Valley High School District Lawndale School District |
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