Nurturing Atmosphere: One School Strives To Be Kinder, Gentler
Squinting into the lunch-hour sunshine, Jackie Garcia scans the vast, blacktop playground for signs of altercations. Spotting a scuffle between a pair of 2nd graders playing kickball, Jackie, 11, bounds toward them, her bright-orange slicker, emblazoned with the title "Conflict Manager," flapping as she runs.
"OK, what happened?" she queries the 7-year-olds, who in turn begin mumbling exaggerated tales. After eliciting promises that the children will cease their pushing and name-calling, the 5th grader marks their names on her clipboard. The young combatants shake hands and resume their game as Jackie dashes to the water fountain to mediate another schoolyard battle.
Beginning in kindergarten, students at Elizabeth Learning Center here learn...
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