Lutheran Schools Introduce “Young Peacemakers”
Anti-Bullying Program

New, faith-based curriculum uses comic books and role play to help students stop bullying before it starts.

 ST. LOUIS – October 25, 2006 – A new program is turning students into “peacemakers” at five St. Louis area Lutheran schools.

 The curriculum, known as “Young Peacemakers,” uses comic books, role play and Biblical stories to teach students how to resolve conflict and prevent bullying in school and everyday life. The 12-session program is being offered through the Lutheran Elementary School Counseling Program to students in grades third through eighth at five Lutheran schools: St. Matthew’s in North St. Louis and Hope Lutheran, Word of Life, King of Glory, and St. Luke’s in South St. Louis.  The curriculum, which is funded by a grant from the Lutheran Foundation, also includes training for teachers and parents.

“This is a great program,” said Judy McCloskey, director of the Lutheran Elementary School Counseling Program. “By drawing on familiar stories from the Bible, we’re showing students how characters did and didn’t deal well with difficult situations.”

“Young Peacemakers” was introduced to St. Louis’s Lutheran schools last year through a pilot program at Word of Life Lutheran School. McCloskey said the lessons had an immediate impact.

“Teachers told us they could hear students using “Young Peacemakers” language to solve conflicts. The kids really remembered what they’d learned.”

The “Young Peacemakers” curriculum was developed by Peacemaker Ministries, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping Christians respond to conflict Biblically. Based in Billings, Montana, Peacemaker Ministries offers educational resources, seminars, and conciliation training to help Christians learn how to serve God as peacemakers in the conflicts they encounter in everyday life. (www.peacemaker.net)

       McCloskey says she and her counselors hope to introduce “Young Peacemakers” to additional St. Louis area Lutheran schools next year.

            “Conflict doesn’t go away,” said McCloskey. “It’s something we deal with throughout our lives. If we can teach children how to handle it peacefully at this age, we’re giving them skills that will last a lifetime.”

The Lutheran Elementary School Counseling Program (LESC) provides school counseling services to Lutheran elementary schools in the St. Louis Metro area. LESC is a member of the Lutheran Elementary School Association (LESA), a registered, non-profit education organization made up of 37 elementary schools, four high schools and other related agencies. LESA is a Recognized Service Organization of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. For more information about LESA, its schools and its mission, call (314) 268-1520, or visit www.lesastl.org.                                                                                               

For more information, contact:

Judy McCloskey
Director, Lutheran Elementary School Counseling Program
314-814-3648

Brenda Kimberlin
LESA Media Coordinator
314-496-1799  

King of Glory Lutheran School
4293 Chippewa Ave.
St. Louis, MO 63116
314-865-1144
Contact: Teri Mize, Director of Development and Operations

 Word of Life Lutheran School
6535 Eichelberger Ave.
St. Louis, MO 63109 
314-832-1244
Contact: David Robinson, Principal

 Hope Lutheran School
5320 Brannon Ave.
St. Louis, MO 63109 
314-832-1850 
Contact: Deb Dikeman, Principal

 St. Luke’s Evangelical Lutheran School
3415 Taft Ave.
St. Louis, MO 63111 
314-832-0118
Contact: Rev. David Dittmar

 St. Matthew’s Lutheran School
5403 Wren Ave.
St. Louis, MO 63120
314-261-7708
Contact: Jonathan Lewis, Principal