In Fall 2021, the P. Brent Trottier Middle School, Robert E. Melican Middle School, and Algonquin Regional High School launched the World of Difference Institute Peer Training Program sponsored by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL). The Program aligns with the District’s core values of integrity, empathy, inclusivity, equity, perseverance, and respect.

The Peer Training Program goals are to:

1. Explore the meaning of community and why it is essential for all to feel that they belong to the community.
2. Examine how some school community members could feel left out and identify ways to ally with those who feel left out.
3. Identify what members of the school community can do to actively promote a safe, inclusive, and equitable learning environment in which cultural, racial, and other social identities are respected and valued.

Peer Leaders will take a leading role in facilitating activities and conversations with their peers. The Peer Leaders will engage in a Peer Leader Training Program, which will occur during three school days scheduled over three weeks. The training will focus on helping Peer Leaders develop their leadership potential and gain the skills to facilitate workshops for their peers. For more information, check out this informational video.

Students interested in applying to be a Peer Leader should complete this application by October 1, 2021.

The overarching goal of the training and workshops is to deepen students’ understanding of the importance of respecting and valuing each others’ commonalities and differences.