What is the Coyote Peer Program?

The Coyote Peer Program, (CPP), at Sycamore Canyon is a unique and important platform that will make a difference for the entire Coyote student body by creating, role modeling and inspiring kind, tolerant and inclusive behaviors that allow all students to flourish socially at Sycamore.
 
The focus of the program is to train students with the skills to effectively promote and assist in educating and assisting their peers in the peaceful and productive co-existence of all students. This focus includes programs such as:
  • Peer Conflict Resolution
  • Classroom presentations on subjects such as tolerance, decision making, personal conflict mediation skills, etc.
  • One to one conversation for students wishing to get a supportive and unbiased perspective on challenges with friends, etc.
  • Greeting and support of new students
  • Peer Academic Coaching
Students are trained extensively in the following skills:
  • Communication, effective vs. non-effective
  • Personal awareness, knowing ourselves helps us understand others better.Recognizing our strengths and weaknesses gives us greater success when dealing with other individuals facing challenges.
  • The empathetic response
  • The process of conflict resolution
  • Creation and presentation of instructive material in ways that young audiences enjoy and relate to.

Students who are chosen for the CPP program have a natural talent for understanding others.  They tend to be the friend that everyone goes to for advice and a caring hug.   With training and experience CPP students find an amazing opportunity to make a positive difference on campus and make amazing personal growth along the way.   CPP students are also involved in many other significant programs at Sycamore Canyon, i.e., STAND PROUD, STAND STRONG, and social support to elementary students, etc.
Requirements:

​​​In order to be involved in the Coyote Peer Program, students must complete an application and attend a group interview. The following are also other requirements to participate in the program:
  • Academic/Citizenship Guidelines:
    Students must have earned grades of “C” or better in all classes to qualify with no N’s or U’s in citizenship or work habits.  Once accepted, students may be dismissed from the program if letter grades or citizenship/work habits grades drop below the required minimum level. All participants must be committed to making up any and all missed work due to projects and work done in the Coyote Peer Program, (CPP).  Students must take responsibility to get approval from all teachers to miss class time for CPP work. 
  • Program Cost:
    Accommodations, meals, all training materials, etc. will be included.  The non-profit organization, All it Takes will be covering the three day leadership training, ($400pp), and we are asking for families to cover the two day skill training and miscellaneous program expenses, (t-shirts, on campus events, etc.), which will be $150.00 for all new program members.  Contact counseling if this is prohibitive and we are happy to work it out. 
    **Note: Costs may vary from year to year**
  • Mandatory Trainings:
    Both overnight trainings (skills training and leadership weekend) will be in Malibu at Camp Hess Kramer/Hilltop. 
    **It has been our experience that at times families agree to this training schedule and then wish to pull their child out of a certain portion of the training for sports/events reasons.  Please understand that this is not an option for any new participant.  We are providing dates in advance so arrangements can be made for missing games/events/etc., on the three day training weekend. Any new participant not attending the entire trainings for reasons other than emergency or illness will be asked to step out of the CPP for the remainder of the year.**
Please contact Mrs. Vitto for additonal questions and application materials
Nicole Vitto at (805) 498-1573, x108. Or email at nvitto@conejousd.org. 
Lori Woodley can be contacted through All it Takes, lori@allittakes.org​​