Chapter 1 of 2 - Shawn and his gang were waging psychological warfare on Tyler. One day, Dennis playfully nudged Tyler while he was with them. Instead of laughing in welcome, Tyler and the gang accused Dennis of hitting Tyler and warned him he better watch his back.
Chapter 1: Shawn attends a Mediation Session
When we left Dennis and Tyler last, they were finishing up their Mediation session with Mr. Campbell. The four options Dennis and Tyler agreed upon were:
- Dennis Apologizes
- Change Seating Arrangements
- Call Shawn In Only For Discussion
- Dennis Stays Away From Shawn's Favorite Park
It was arranged that the session with Shawn, Tyler, Dennis, and Mr. Campbell would take place in the principal's or the Guidance Counselor's office.
As you might recall, Tyler and Dennis weren't too pleased about that, but Mr. Campbell realized he potentially needed reinforcements on this next step. Mr. Campbell ended up talking to both Mrs. Watchtower, the Assistant Principal, and Mrs. Feelgood, the Guidance Counselor. They collectively decided to hold the session in the conference room so they all could spread out a bit.
The time was set for Thursday morning, during Mr. Campbell's planning period. Thursday morning came. Amazingly enough, Shawn suspected nothing until he got the call from the office.
Mrs. Watchtower buzzed Shawn's classroom and said, “Please send Shawn to the office.”
His math teacher nodded for Shawn to leave the room and suggested that he take all his books with him in case this turned in to a lengthy session.
Shawn felt very curious and a trifle nervous at the call. He thought, “I wonder what this is all about? If I find out that someone is setting me up to get in trouble, I will make sure they live to regret it. I wonder if it's that wimpy Dennis? Well, I'll find out soon enough.” Then he shrugged his shoulders and opened the office door. The school secretary walked Shawn back to the conference room.
Shawn entered to see that there was a whole crowd of people waiting for him: Mr. Campbell, Mrs. Watchtower, Mrs. Feelgood, Tyler, and sure enough, Dennis.
Mrs. Watchtower said, “Have a seat, Shawn.”
Shawn reluctantly sat down and shot Tyler a curious glance. Tyler shrugged, trying to pretend that he didn't have a clue as to what this was all about. Mr. Campbell then said, “Shawn, I'm Mr. Campbell. I haven't had you in my class yet. I hope I will before the year ends.”
Shawn nodded his head but didn't say anything.
The guidance counselor, Mrs. Feelgood, said, “Shawn, we have called you to join with us in dealing with a potential conflict that seems to be growing between Dennis, Tyler, you, and your friends.”
Shawn attempted to act innocent as he asked, “What are you talking about? What conflict?”
Mrs. Feelgood said, “It is our understanding that you have been making threats to Dennis that he better watch his back. Is that correct?”
Shawn admitted, “Well, kind of. But we were just playing around. We didn't mean nothing by it.”
Mrs. Feelgood said, “That's good to hear.”
The Assistant Principal, Mrs. Watchtower, said, “Shawn, perhaps you are not aware of this, but we take all the words said by our students very seriously. It is no longer acceptable to be able to state a threat and then get that threat excused by saying that you were just playing around. So we suggest you only use words, from now on, that you mean to follow through on. To make a threat, whether joking or serious, will always be taken seriously by us. Do I make myself clear?”
Shawn said, “Yes, ma'am. I'll remember that.”
Mrs. Watchtower said, “Good! Now, Mr. Campbell, perhaps you can fill Shawn in on what has taken place so far.”
Mr. Campbell said, “Of course, Mrs. Watchtower. Shawn, although I am not a Guidance Counselor as Mrs. Feelgood is, I sometimes get together with students to help them Mediate their conflict.”
Shawn asked, “Mediate? What's that mean?”
Mr. Campbell said, “Good question. It means that I help them discuss their conflict in a calm environment. I attempt to guide them into coming up with a WIN-WIN solution for that conflict.”
Shawn looked puzzled and asked, “WIN-WIN?”
Mr. Campbell said, “My apologies, Shawn. If you had taken my class, you would know what that means. Tyler, do you care to tell him?”
Tyler said, “It means that we try to find a solution that will please both people having the conflict.”
Shawn nodded and said, “Oh. Okay.”
Mr. Campbell said, “That is exactly what we want to try to do today. We want to find a solution that will please all of you. Everyone that is in this room, that is.”
Shawn thought about trying to play it off as if he didn't know what Mr. Campbell was talking about, but then decided that it probably wasn't worth the effort.
Mr. Campbell said, “Now, Tyler and Dennis are both in one of my classes. I had noticed that the two of them seemed to be having a conflict. So I suggested that we meet during one of my planning periods to discuss it. Interestingly enough, your name kept coming up.”
Shawn shot Tyler a rather suspicious look and Dennis a rather venomous look. Tyler shrugged his shoulders as if in apology. Dennis looked away uncomfortably.
Mr. Campbell explained, “During that session, it was decided that further Mediation was going to be necessary. It was agreed that it would be much better to get you in on it, so we were not guilty of continuing to talk about you behind your back.”
Mrs. Watchtower said, “Now Shawn, at this point, it is not a direct office situation. In other words, there are to be no consequences as long as we can come up with a fair agreement that pleases all concerned.”
Shawn asked, “What do you mean?”
Mrs. Watchtower said, “Normally, someone who makes threats to harm another student at our school could be assigned D-Hall or to the In School Alternate Program (IAP) or some other consequence. But if you three can come up with, what Mr. Campbell calls, a WIN-WIN agreement that also pleases myself and Mrs. Feelgood, then there will be no further consequences other than that you missed most of your math class. Do you understand?”
Shawn said, “Uh, ..., yeah, ... I guess. So what do I have to do?”
Mr. Campbell stated, “Shawn, we are going to conduct a Mediation session right now. Are you willing to take part in this?”
Shawn said, “Uh, ..., yeah, ... I guess.”
Mr. Campbell said, “Since you have never had my class, I will go over all the rules of a Mediation session with you now. Rule 1 is you need to be willing to try to solve your problem through Mediation. Are you willing, Dennis?”
Dennis said, “Yeah, sure I am!”
Mr. Campbell asked, “What about you, Tyler?”
Tyler agreed, “Uh, yeah, I am.”
Mr. Campbell asked, “And you, Shawn? Are you willing to try to solve this conflict through Mediation?”
Shawn said, “Uh, ..., yeah, ... I guess.” Shawn kept repeating his, “Uh, ..., yeah, ... I guess” statement as he didn't quite know what to think about what seemed to be going down. He was suspending judgment until he figured out more about it all.
Mrs. Feelgood, the Guidance Counselor, was going to help Mr. Campbell conduct the Mediation session. So she too helped state the rules. She stated, “Rule 2 is that only one person will talk at a time. If any of you feels tempted to interrupt, feel free to jot down your thoughts on this extra sheet of paper. You will definitely be given an opportunity to share your thoughts. So please, wait your turn.”
Mr. Campbell read, “Rule 3 is there should be no name-calling or put-downs of any kind. In my class, you don't say somebody is dumb or stupid or their ideas are dumb or stupid or any meaner names than that.”
Shawn asked, “Well then, what can I say?”
Mr. Campbell said, “You may say someone is silly or foolish or goofy or even weird. So if you feel you must put each other down, those are the words you should confine yourself to.”
Shawn said, “Oh, okay. I can do that.”
Mrs. Feelgood said, “Rule 4 is that you all need to tell the truth. There is no point in continuing if you refuse to be truthful.”
Mr. Campbell said, “Rule 5 is that there is to be no physical fighting, yelling, or throwing things. As soon as any of that happens, the Mediation session will be terminated, and it will immediately become an office matter. In that case, Mrs. Watchtower will take over.”
Mrs. Feelgood said, “Rule 6 is that everything of a personal nature must be kept confidential. So any personal information you hear about one another must be kept strictly confidential.”
Mr. Campbell said, “Finally, the last rule, Rule 7, is that if you say anything that would seriously harm you, each other, or anyone else, then this would become an office matter.”
Mrs. Feelgood asked, “So Dennis, do you agree to follow all seven rules?”
Dennis nodded, “Yes, I do.”
Mrs. Feelgood asked, “Tyler?”
Tyler said, “Yeah, I do.”
Mrs. Feelgood asked, “Shawn, do you agree to follow all seven rules of the Mediation session?”
Shawn was getting more and more of an attitude about what was going on. It felt like a giant trap to him, and he didn't like it. Therefore, Shawn kind of snapped as he said, “Yeah, yeah.”
Mr. Campbell, “Okay, now it is time for Step 2.”
Shawn asked, “How many steps are there?”
Mr. Campbell said, “Good question, Shawn. There are six steps and a follow-up. In other words, this will take most or all of your class period.”
Shawn nodded and said, “Oh, okay.”
Mr. Campbell explained, “Step 2 is where we gather points of view. Dennis, I am going to start with you. I would like you to tell your side of the story, as you see it. We will all listen quietly. Be assured guys that you each will be given a turn.”
Dennis said, “Okay, well, uh, ..., Tyler has, ..., well, ... had been my friend for a long time. So early last week when I saw him talking to Shawn and his gang, I thought I'd like to be included in the conversation because I, ..., well, ..., uh, ..., would like to be friends with Shawn and his friends too. So I went up and nudged Tyler like guys do sometimes. I guess I both startled him and maybe put more force behind it than I meant to. And for that, I have already apologized to Tyler several times.”
Dennis continued, “Well, first Tyler accused me of hitting him. Then Shawn and his gang all started saying the same thing. And Shawn also said that I better watch my back. I tried to make up with Tyler, but he wouldn’t have anything to do with me. Plus, Shawn and his gang kept threatening me almost every time I walked by. Then we had that other Mediation session that was just between Tyler, Mr. Campbell, and me. And now, here we are.”
Mr. Campbell asked, “Do you have anything that you would like to add?”
Dennis said, “Yeah, I do. Uh, Shawn, I agreed to stay away from that park that you like to hang out at. But I would really like it if you and your friends would stop threatening me, because it makes me feel really uncomfortable. I also would like it if we all could be friends. I'm not saying you have to be my best friend or anything, but I would really like it if we all could just get along.”
Shawn thought this was a really wimpy, wussy thing that Dennis was saying. If the Assistant Principal and the others hadn't been there, he would have said so out loud with a voice full of venom. Instead, he simply shrugged his shoulders and looked away.
In the meantime, Mr. Campbell repeated back what Dennis had said: “So, Dennis, you nudged Tyler to try to get his attention. But he, Shawn, and Shawn's gang all seemed to think you had hit him instead. Then Tyler started ignoring you and refusing to accept your apology. Also, Shawn and his friends have been threatening you that you need to watch your back. You would like to be friends with all of them. Is that correct?”
Dennis agreed, “Yes, that's it exactly.”
Mrs. Feelgood said, “Okay, Tyler, it's your turn next. Please tell what happened from your point of view.”
Tyler shot a rather nervous look in Shawn's direction. He was really hoping that Shawn would not get mad at him over all this. Falteringly, he began. “Well, uh, ..., you see, I was talking with Shawn and his friends last week. I was concentrating really hard on what Shawn was saying. Then unexpectedly, Dennis came up behind me and hit me. It could have been a nudge, but it startled me and kind of hurt. So I turned on him and accused him of hitting me. Shawn and his friends all backed me up. So I decided I wanted nothing more to do with Dennis after that. I'd much rather hang out with Shawn and his friends instead of with Dennis.”
Mrs. Feelgood asked, “Is there anything you would like to add?”
Tyler said, “No, that's about it.”
Mrs. Feelgood said, “All right. You were talking with Shawn and his friends when Dennis came up and nudged you. However, to you, it felt like a hit. Plus, it startled you. You accused him of hitting you. Shawn and his friends did the same. You decided to ignore Dennis after that. Additionally, you decided you only want to hang out with Shawn and his gang from now on. Is that correct?”
Tyler said, “Yeah, that's it.” Tyler looked and felt rather pleased. He felt like he had worded things so that Shawn couldn't possibly get mad at him. Or at least, he hoped that was the case.
Mr. Campbell said, “Okay, Shawn, it's your turn now. Please tell what happened from your point of view.”
Shawn said, “Okay. Well, let's see if I can remember. Hmmmmm! I remember talking to Tyler. I don't quite remember what we were talking about, but we were talking. Then Dennis came up from behind Tyler and did something to him. I didn't see it exactly because Tyler's body hid my view. But I just noticed that Tyler jerked forward suddenly in my direction. So maybe it was a nudge as Dennis said or a hit as Tyler and some of my friends said. I can't be sure. It sure looked like it must have been a hit since Tyler almost bumped into me. That annoyed me. So I jokingly told Dennis he better watch his back.”
Mrs. Watchtower asked, “How many times since then have you made that threat to him?”
Shawn said, “Uh, ..., well, ..., I don't know. A few times, I guess.”
Mrs. Watchtower asked, “And you say you were joking every time?”
Shawn said in a rather fake-sounding polite voice, “That's right, ma'am. I sure was. But I won't tell jokes like that again, now that I know better.” The words Shawn said were just right, but his tone of voice and body language let everyone know that he didn't mean a word of what he said.
Mr. Campbell asked, “Is there anything you would like to add, Shawn?”
Shawn said, “Nah, that's it.”
Mr. Campbell said, “Okay. You were talking to Tyler when Dennis came up and either hit or nudged him. You weren't sure which, but you did see him sort of jerk toward you. Since you were annoyed, you started telling Dennis that he better watch his back. You have said that several times since, but claim it was just a joke. Is that correct?”
Shawn said, “Yeah, that's about it, all right.”
Mrs. Feelgood stated, “That was the end of Step 2. Step 3 is to focus on interests. Dennis, it sounds like you still would like to get your BELONGING need met with both Tyler and Shawn. You are willing to be friends with either of them or both of them if they are willing to be friends with you. You also would like to feel more SAFE and SECURE and not have threats being made to you.”
Mr. Campbell said, “Tyler, it sounds like you really want to get your BELONGING need met with Shawn and his friends. At this time, you don't want Dennis in your life, only Shawn and his gang. And you want to feel more SAFE and SECURE by not getting either hit or nudged by anybody at any time.”
Mrs. Feelgood said, “Shawn, it sounds like you want to continue to get your BELONGING need met with Tyler. You haven't made up your mind yet about whether you wish to be friends with Dennis. You too would like to feel SAFE and SECURE because you didn't like it that Tyler was seemingly nudged or hit or pushed into you.”
Mr. Campbell said, “So it sounds like you all three would like to get your BELONGING need met and you all three would like to get your SAFETY and SECURITY needs met. So you all three want some of the same things.”
Mrs. Feelgood stated, “Now it is time for Step 4. In that step, we create WIN-WIN options. This is the Brainstorming step where we will try to come up with some options to try to solve this conflict that will please all three of you. There are three rules for the Brainstorming step. Rule 1 is to say any idea that comes to mind, even if it might sound silly or hard to accomplish.”
Mr. Campbell said, “Rule 2 is let's not judge or discuss any of the ideas until a little later. Mrs. Watchtower will write down your ideas so we can look at them as a group during Step 5 of Mediation.”
Mrs. Feelgood said, “Rule 3 is to be real creative. Try to come up with as many ideas as possible so we have lots of options to choose from.”
Mr. Campbell asked, “Dennis, do you agree with those three Brainstorming rules?”
Dennis said, “Yes, I do.”
Mr. Campbell turned to Tyler and asked, “Tyler, do you agree to those three rules?”
Tyler said, “Yeah, I do.”
Mr. Campbell asked, “Shawn, do you agree to those three Brainstorming rules?”
Shawn kind of grumbled and said, “Yeah, yeah. Go ahead.”
Mrs. Feelgood said, “All right. Let's Brainstorm. What can you come up with that might solve this conflict that you are having?”
Dennis hopefully said, “We could all be friends.” Shawn snorted; but nevertheless, Mrs. Watchtower wrote down that suggestion on her portable white board and read, “Be friends.”
Shawn suggested, “Dennis and I can avoid each other from now on.”
Mrs. Watchtower wrote that suggestion down also and read, “Dennis and Shawn avoid each other.”
Tyler thought about it for a little while, then he decided to get brave enough to say, “Nobody threaten anybody from now on.”
Shawn did not much like Tyler interfering like that, but he knew he would have to let it pass for now, given that Mrs. Watchtower, Mrs. Feelgood, and Mr. Campbell were carefully watching all three of them.
Mrs. Watchtower wrote that suggestion down also and read, “No more making threats to each other.”
Dennis was thinking hard. Impulsively, he decided to let Shawn know that he knew about the potential Initiation Tyler was going to have to go through. He said, “Tyler does not have to beat me up or fight me for Initiation to get into Shawn's gang.”
Shawn was quite surprised at hearing those words being brought out into the open like that. He shot Tyler a sharp and questioning look. Tyler shrugged his shoulders again and finally whispered, “Sorry about that. Mr. Campbell sort of guessed about it in the last Mediation session.”
Mrs. Watchtower wrote down that suggestion and read it back to the group, “Tyler does not have to beat up or fight Dennis in order to get into Shawn’s gang.“
Mrs. Watchtower then stated, “I realize we are in the Brainstorming stage, but I do feel that I need to remind everyone that if a fight takes place on school grounds, then each person who takes part in that fight will get suspended for three days, and get zeroes on all their assignments and missed tests, in all seven of their classes, for that three-day time period.”
The three boys nodded their heads; although, Shawn looked a little surprised when he heard about getting zeroes in all of his classes. He finally asked, “Don't we get to make up our work afterward?”
Mrs. Watchtower said, “No. When a student is given an out-of-school suspension, then their work may not be made up. Therefore, you get a double consequence. If you get suspended often enough, it could result in you having to repeat the grade you are in or being put in the Behavior Class or both.”
Shawn thought for a bit and then couldn't resist asking, “What happens if a fight takes place nowhere near school grounds?”
Mrs. Watchtower said, “Then it simply becomes a police or juvenile court matter or a matter for parents to handle.”
Mr. Campbell decided it was time to get the Brainstorming session back on track, so he asked, “So, what else can you think of that might try to solve this conflict between the three of you?”
Dennis said, “I've apologized and apologized to Tyler, but I could also apologize to Shawn for accidentally almost knocking Tyler into him.”
Mrs. Watchtower wrote that suggestion down on the white board and read it off, “Dennis apologizes to Shawn.“
Mrs. Feelgood asked, “Anything else?”
The three boys thought for awhile. They were ready to indicate that they had no further suggestions, when Mr. Campbell interrupted to say, “Guys, I think it is important to remind you that we are looking for suggestions that would turn this into a WIN-WIN-WIN outcome. We don't want it to look like Tyler and Dennis get what they want and Shawn gets nothing. So Shawn, what could you suggest that would be a WIN for you too?”
Shawn had been feeling rather on the defensive with the way the session had gone so far. He wondered what he really wanted to come out of all this. Finally, he said, “Well, I would like it if Dennis stays away from me and my friends. As for Tyler, he can do what he wants. He can join our gang or not, but Dennis will not be hurt in any way by any of us.”
The adults all straightened up and gave each other pleased looks. Tyler looked quite relieved. Dennis was a bit disappointed that no one wanted to be his friend, but relieved that he was not to be beat up.
Mrs. Watchtower wrote those suggestions down as three different items on her white board. Then she read, “Dennis should stay away from Shawn and his gang. Tyler can join the gang if he wants. Dennis will not be hurt by Shawn, Tyler, or the gang members.”
Mrs. Feelgood asked, “Can any of you think of any other suggestions?”
All three boys shook their heads no, so Mr. Campbell said, “Excellent! That was the end of Step 4. Step 5 is where we evaluate those options that you three came up with and choose all the ones that all three of you can agree with. Mrs. Watchtower, would you please read off what the boys came up with?”
Mrs. Watchtower smiled and said, “I would be happy to.”
Mrs. Watchtower read:
- Be friends.
- Dennis and Shawn avoid each other.
- No more making threats to each other.
- Tyler does not have to beat up or fight Dennis in order to get into Shawn’s gang.
- Dennis apologizes to Shawn.
- Dennis should stay away from Shawn and his gang.
- Tyler can join the gang if he wants.
- Dennis will not be hurt by Shawn, Tyler, or the other gang members.
Mrs. Feelgood said, “All right. It's time to evaluate those options. Which of those options do you feel would have the best possibility of working?”
The three boys studied the white board. Everyone kind of knew that Shawn needed to be able to speak first so he could have a feeling of ownership over the solution. They all looked at him. He noticed this and then said, “Well, I think all the ones but the first one. I don't want to be friends with Dennis. But all the rest are okay.”
Mr. Campbell asked, “What about you, Tyler? Which of those suggestions will work for you?”
Tyler got brave enough to say, “Well, the same as what Shawn said, except I might be willing to be friendly with Dennis now and then. Don't get me wrong. I don't want to be best friends, but we could be nice to each other when we see each other in class or in the hallway. But if I'm with Shawn and his friends, then I wish to avoid him at that time.”
Mrs. Watchtower added Tyler’s idea to the list as she said, “Tyler reserves the right to be friendly to Dennis if he chooses.”
She then asked, “Tyler, did I word that suggestion appropriately?”
Tyler said, “Yeah, that sounds good.”
Mrs. Watchtower turned to Shawn and asked, “Shawn, do you accept the addition to our list?”
Shawn read it over and said in a bored-sounding voice, “Yeah, yeah. It’s fine.”
Mrs. Feelgood said, “Dennis, it's your turn. Which of those suggestions would have the best possibility of working for you?”
Dennis admitted, “Well I'm a little disappointed that we all can't be friends, but I understand that you can't always have what you want. I'm glad that Tyler might be willing to be nice to me now and again. I agree that we should write down every one but the top suggestion.”
So Mrs. Watchtower erased the top suggestion.
Mr. Campbell said, “Okay, we are ready for Step 6 where we create an agreement. Mrs. Watchtower, would you please read off what the three boys have agreed to do?”
Mrs. Watchtower said, “All right. You boys have all agreed to:
- Dennis and Shawn avoid each other.
- No more making threats to each other.
- Tyler does not have to beat up or fight Dennis in order to get into Shawn’s gang.
- Dennis apologizes to Shawn.
- Dennis should stay away from Shawn and his gang.
- Tyler can join the gang if he wants.
- Dennis will not be hurt by Shawn, Tyler, or the other gang members.
- Tyler reserves the right to be friendly to Dennis if he chooses.
In the meantime, Mrs. Feelgood was busy copying down all of those suggestions in a contract that all three boys would sign. When she was finished, she said, “All right, boys. I have written down those suggestions in a contract. Dennis, how about you go ahead and say your apology now?”
Dennis said, “Oh, yeah. Uh, ..., Shawn, I'm really sorry for accidentally almost pushing Tyler into you. And I'm really sorry for anything else I might have done to get you ticked off at me. I hope you'll forgive me?”
Shawn said, “Yeah, yeah. It's all right. Just stick to the rest of this contract, and everything will be fine.”
Then Mrs. Feelgood had the boys all sign the contract. Afterward, Mrs. Watchtower said, “All right, boys. A copy of this contract will be put in all three of your school files. As long as you stick to this agreement, there will be no further discussion about this. But if any of you break this contract, then it will turn into an office matter with consequences such as D-Hall, our In School Alternate Program, or Suspension. Do you understand?”
All three boys nodded. Then Mr. Campbell said, “Guys! You've done an excellent job! We're nearly done with our Mediation session. We simply have to do the Follow-Up. What could each of you do differently in the future to make sure this type of conflict doesn't happen again? Dennis?”
Dennis said, “I guess that if I don't ever nudge anybody again, that could help because they might think I was hitting them instead. Also, if I stick to that agreement, I hope that will keep this type of conflict from happening again.”
Mrs. Feelgood said, “Good! Tyler?”
Tyler said, “Uh, well, ..., uh, ..., could you go to Shawn next? I need to think for another moment.”
Mrs. Feelgood asked, “Okay, Shawn? What could you do to make sure this type of conflict doesn't happen again?”
Shawn said, “Well, I'll be careful about telling Dennis or anybody they better watch their backs. I'll also stick to that agreement and make sure my friends do too. Uh, could I get a copy of that contract so I can remember everything?
Mrs. Watchtower said, “Yes, I believe that could be arranged. In fact, we'll give a copy to all three of you boys. Now, Tyler, we're ready to hear from you.”
Tyler said, “Well, okay. Uh, ..., I've been thinking. I'm really glad to hear that I don't have to beat up or fight anybody if I decide to join Shawn's gang. But I've also realized something about myself. I've been thinking about joining Shawn's gang out of being kind of scared of being beat up by him or his friends. That's kind of a wimpy thing to do.”
Tyler turned to Shawn and said, “I think you and your friends are ‘way cool’. I would like to be friends with all of you, not because I'm scared, but because you all would act like real friends to me. So if you want to be that way, friendly all the time, I'd like to join. But if you treat me bad like you and your friends did for awhile, then I don't want to join. So what do you say, Shawn?”
Shawn said, “Uh, well, ..., I guess I need to have a talk with the rest of my friends, and I'll let you know.”
Tyler said, “Fair enough. Uh, Dennis, ..., I'm sorry I was so mean to you. You didn't deserve that kind of treatment from me. I promise to do better from now on.”
Dennis happily said, “Wow, Tyler! Thanks! That means a lot to me.”
Mr. Campbell said, “Boys! You all three did good work. I want to thank you for coming to Mediation and working to come up with a WIN-WIN-WIN Solution for all three of you.”
Mrs. Feelgood said, “Yes! Good work, Boys!”
Mrs. Watchtower praised, “Congratulations, Boys! Here is a pass back to class. And if you follow me, I'll make you a copy of the contract that you each can take with you.”
The three boys headed back to class. Dennis was careful to stay away from Shawn as they walked. He was determined to stick as closely to the contract as he possibly could.
- Click here to read Chapter 2 of 2 - A Mediation session with Shawn, Tyler, and Dennis
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