LINK THINK TANK
June 17, 2014
Best Minds in the State
Peer to Peer Support Programs
Purpose of the START LINK
THINK TANK
Increase the Implementation of Peer
to Peer Support Programs Across the
State of Michigan
Day 1 Agenda
• Minute to Win It Games
• Who is here today and what are they doing
with Peer to Peer Support
• Barriers to Implementation – 3x5 Cards
• Set Up District Table
• Café Tables
• Lunch
• Elementary and Secondary Breakouts
• Elementary – Room
• Secondary – Room
Day 2 Agenda
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Review Day 1
12 Minutes Talks with Brainstorming Session
Fundraising
LINK Banquets, Recognition, T-Shirts, Media
Scheduling/Staffing/Case Conferences
Burn Out
Lunch – Longevity
Technology
Data Collection
At Risk Students
Summary of Work Completed at THINK TANK
What’s Next
Purpose of the Minute to Win It
Competition
• Model fun needed in Peer to Peer Support Programs
• Scoreboard Creates Synergy Amongst Peers
• Creates Cooperative Experience between people that
don’t know each other
• Common Theme
• A role for a Student with ASD within the competition
Minute to Win It Games
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6 -7 People on 6 Teams
Stay with your Team Throughout 2 Days
7 Minutes to Name Your Team and Pick a Captain
Selected Participants will Report to Same Area for Every
Game
• Games Will Occur Throughout the Two Days
• Rotate Team Members Throughout Competitions –
Everyone to participate
• Stiff Competition with 1st, 2nd and 3rd Place Teams
Minute to Win It Teams
Minute to Win It Teams
Team 1
Team 2
Lisa Carruthers
Mary Garrigus
Erin Gauthier
Dave Leonard
Amy Matthews
Kim Miller
Brenda Vaughan
Kelly Dunlap
Michelle Etson
Bob Hart
Missy Keller
Megan Nanna
Laurie Potie
Tracy Wagner
Team 3
Team 4
Lisa Basore
Anne Carey
Jean DeBruyn
DeAnne Friar
Amy Hatto
Tricia Nutt
Jamie Owen-Deshryver
Lisonn Delcamp
Lindsey Harr-Smith
Becky Myers
Matt Nowak
Mike Wolf
Maureen Ziegler
Team 5
Team 6
Melissa Adair
Scott Bont
Mari MacFarland
Megan McLeod
Ken Pierson
Stacey VanLaan
Krista Walters
Carrie Carr
Mark Lyons
Mary Peet
Judith Shea
Amy Silsbe
Laurel Wetherford
Maggie Whaley
Minute to Win It Games
• Dave Schoemer and Margie Mayberry to Facilitate
• Margie Mayberry in Charge of Score Board
• Melissa Kurek in Charge of Organization of the Games
Game #1
Teams Each Select One Person from Their
Team to Participate in Game 1
Participants Go To The Center Tables
Game #1
Please fill out 3X5 Cards
Prior to the Break
• On the 3X5 Cards, please list the three
biggest barriers to the development and
implementation of peer to peer support
programs
• Why are other districts not implementing
Peer to Peer Support Programs
• Top 3 Reasons Why
• Please Leave Cards on Table
Introducing the Peer to Peer
Support Programs Across the
State of Michigan
Troy Schools
Oakland County
Lisa Carruthers - General Education
Teacher – Created a LINKS Program in her
3rd Grade General Education Classroom
Our journey began with a SMILE!
We ventured through the school year
with some highs and lows.
We tackled each week
TOGETHER knowing
we are “linked”.
Very early in this journey
We were reminded of the
Power of One all over again!
The Power Of One
One song can spark a moment,
One whisper can wake the dream.
One tree can start a forest,
One bird can herald spring.
One smile begins a friendship,
One moment can make one fall in love.
One star can guide a ship at sea,
One word can frame the goal
One vote can change a nation,
One sunbeam lights a room
One candle wipes out darkness,
One laugh will conquer gloom.
One step must start each journey.
One word must start each prayer.
One hope will raise our spirits,
One touch can show you care.
One voice can speak with wisdom,
One heart can know what's true,
One life can make a difference,
You see, it's up to you!
Ashish Ram
Our Story…T.E.A.M. Time
Together Everyone Achieves More
• We started small – focused on ONE
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Powerpoint presentation led by Peer (parent present)
Pamphlet was given to students to share at home
27 out of 29 students signed up to be a LINK
PEER and LINK responsibilities created by ALL stakeholders
Names of Links for the first week were shared
• Check-in
– Daily or as needed
– Weekly during TEAM Time
– All students take notes to reflect on week (individually) in written form in writer’s notebooks
– Complete debrief sheet (Celebrations, Problems, Solutions) together through Link/Peer
discussion (Friends share their thinking when appropriate)
– Send copy of debrief sheet home with Peer and Link to share with parents
– Friends take notes during process in preparation for their Link time or in reflection
– Responsibilities for PEER and LINK are on desks (visual reminder for Peer, Link, and
Teacher)
• Reset
– New week = 2 new Links with one carry over from week prior
– Revisit goals/reflections from debrief of week prior to start current week’s debrief
– Review confidentiality and respect of personal situations
Through this process experiences may include…
LINK
what a Link is really about!
TANK
…like being a fish
out of water!
Most of all…
THINK
reflecting, learning, and
THINKing about life
through a new lens!
the gamut of
emotions…
remembering
to breathe!
feeling like WE
could do anything?
falling in love over and
over, and over again!
BE the Power of…
…MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
Eastern Upper Peninsula
2nd Longest Drive to Get to the
LINK THINK TANK
Ann Carey - Teacher
Carrie Carr – Teacher Consultant –
Stretching the Pupil Accounting Rules
as Far as they Can Stretch
Eastern Upper Peninsula LINKS
Bringing Communities Together
The EUPISD
19 school districts
4,000 square miles
7260 school age students
105 students diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder
22 LINKS programs throughout the 19 districts
425 LINKS, 65 target students
Community Sledding Event
Collaborative regional effort
between EUP LINKS Programs and
community peer program - Autism
Peer Activity League
LINKS programs held bake sales to
help finance renting out the
sledding hill
Held at Sault Seal Recreation
Center
Open to anyone in the community all regional LINKS programs invited
Sledding, pizza, hot chocolate
LINKS Spring Events
Links Bowling Party
You are invited to come and bowl with the Soo High Links Club
at the Don Dee Lanes in the Soo!
We will bowl on March 27th from 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Cost is $2.50 per bowler, per game, this includes your shoe
rental.
Students must provide their own transportation.
RSVP required with attached form to Ms. Jessica by 3/24/14
Come for Links Movie Night!!!!
When: Monday, May 5th, 2014
Where: Salvation Army, 132 W. Spruce St., Sault Michigan
Time: 6-8 p.m.
Students should bring a non-perishable item to donate and
their own beverage for the movie.
My child ____________________ will be attending the Links
Bowling party on 3/27/14.
My child wears size _____________ bowling shoes.
Parental signature
Contact Number
RSVP to Miss Jessica by 5/5 if you plan to attend.
Questions call Mrs. Craven at 906-440-9773
Celebrating success in the local districts
Linkapalooza
Parent night / ice cream social
Pizza parties
Chili night
Field trips
Gwinn Area Community Schools
Longest Distance to Get to LINK
THINK TANK
Meghan McLeod – Special Education Teacher
Made it into the Local Newspaper in the First
Year of LINKS
COOR ISD
Up North
Brenda Vaughan - Teacher Consultant
4 of our 6 districts have active LINK groups
Brenda Vaughan
INDIVIDUALLY TAILORED--Problem solving = Meeting mechanics and running the board
Social opportunities
Classroom support
Lunch Buddies
Recess Buddies
RAKs
Expansions into the culture of the school– Trinity
Transitioning
Dances
Social outings
Sporting events
Buddy Benches
Grayling LINKs
• Multiple
Facilitators
• Internal
connection
• Individualize
group
Maybe the Most Beautiful Place in
the Lower Peninsula
Mike Wolfe – School Social Worker
Freeland Community Schools
Saginaw County
Pretty Much in the Middle of Nowhere
Kim Miller – Teacher High and
Elementary School
Shepherd Public Schools
Just South of Mt. Pleasant
Laurie Potie – Social
Worker Extraordinaire
St. Johns Public Schools
Further South of Mt Pleasant
Missy Keller – LINK
Teacher – Probably one
the Busiest Persons at
this Training
Holt Public Schools
Ingham County
Mary Garrigus – Teacher Consultant
Extraordinaire
Probably the longest history with START
Been with us since $@%&...
Let’s Just Say Forever
Haslett Public Schools
Ingham County
Lisa Basore – Teacher Consultant
Never Say “YOU CAN NOT DO THIS”
To This Person
Grand Haven Public Schools
Beautiful Beach
Ottawa County
Tricia Nutt – Grand Haven High School
Leadership Role - Peer to Peer Support
Programs - West Side
Jenison Public Schools
Really Hard to Find When You Are
Directionally Challenged
Stacie VanLaan – Teacher of Students with ASD
Collecting Data Before Data Collection
Was Cool
Martin Public Schools
(Again in the Middle of Nowhere
Allegan AESA
Erin Gauthier – Quilt Maker
Amy Silsbe – Teacher Consultant
Moved Center Program for Students with ASD
from Segregated Facility into a General
Education Building…Cross and Same Aged
LINKS PROGRAM is EXPLODING
Allegan AESA/Martin Peer to Peer
Alyssa’s Same age Peer to Peer support during class
The following 2nd grade students are willing to be Alyssa’s peer to peer support during regular
academic time in the classroom. Their job is to help keep Alyssa focus on her academics and help her
if she needs help. Post schedule in both Mrs. Chamberlain’s Classroom and Mrs. Hurdelbrink’s
Classroom so the student knows what day they are a peer to peer support.
Monday
Pick up
Art
D5
WR
Lunch
Science
Recess
Snack
S.S.
Math
Rachel
Kaede
Avery
Elle
Zoey/Madison
Erika
Saydie
Ayla
Bella
Elliot
Thursday
Pick up Lily
D5
Elle
Recess
Erika/Bella
WR
Amber
Lunch
Emma F.
S.S
Kaede
Music
Rachel
Comp.
Choice
Snack
Abe
Math
Autumn
Tuesday
Pick up
D5
P.E.
WR
Lunch
Science
Recess
Snack
S.S.
Math
Maddie
Lily
Amber
Kaede
Sydney
Erika
Rachel/Autumn
Aaron
Bella
Elliot
Wednesday
Pick up Erka
D5
Kaede
-------------------WR
Elliana
Lunch
Isabelle/Ayla
Science Bella
Recess
Avery
Snack
David
S.S.
Kaede
Math
Autumn
Friday
Pick up
D5
Spelling
Library
Lunch
Science
Recess
P.E
Snack
Math
Avery
Erika
Elliana
Autumn
Liz/Gabby
Bella
Maddie
Amber
Elle
Connor
New Behavior Plan for Alyssa
Mentoring Same Age Peers
• Teaching the same age peers how to help out
their friend
– Teaching them to play a new game at recess
– Friendly reminders to stay quiet
– Social cues – “we don’t kiss at school”
– Showing them how to help in specific situations
Hamilton Community Schools
On Fire in Ottawa County
Becky Myers – Special Education Supervisor
Parent Volunteer On-Line System to Support
Students with ASD and LINK Students
Game #2
Teams Each Select One Person from Their
Team to Participate in Game 2
Two Participants Go To The Center Tables
Game #2
Forest Hills Public Schools
Kent County
DeAnne Friar – Speech and Language
LINKS Students Beyond Students with ASD
Caledonia Community Schools
What is that Building in the
Middle of Your City
Kent County
Scott Bont – Social Worker
Tenacity Beyond Belief
Fighting hard to get Peer to Peer throughout
the K-12 System
Caledonia
Peer to Peer
Where we started 5 ½ years ago to now
5 ½ years ago
• We started in February with 2 targeted
students and 30 supporting students
• One student with Autism - 4th grade
• One student – OHI & VI – 3rd grade
• 30 supporting students (15 in each grade)
st
1
full year
• In 1st full year we had 6 students, 5 (ASD) &
1 (OHI/VI) with 80 supporting students
• Staff comfort level varied with size of groups
• 4 staff ran the 6 groups (all in 1 elementary)
2013 - 2014
• We have P2P in all 5 elementary schools w/
over 130 peers supporting 12 targeted students
• In our 2 Middle Schools we have over 150
students supporting 19 targeted students
• In HS started a LINKS class this year with 12
students signed up for the 1st trimester
supporting 5 students w/autism & 2 from CI
classroom
• By 3rd trimester supporting 15 students with
over 30 HS students having been involved
Issues we have
encountered
• With so many different groups, targeted
students – who runs/oversees the groups
• Implementing with fidelity – frequency of
meetings and consistency (usually supporting
most challenging students & are we giving
enough support to supporting students)
• Building capacity w/General Education staff
and possibly going beyond just special
education students being targeted/supported
(? 504 students)
Plans for 2014 – 15
• At Elementary level – continue to move
beyond Lunch/recess – 1 specific student
already supported in class (refused lunch time)
& have had some natural “spill over”
• Middle School – starting a LINKS Encore class
for 1 trimester (2 - 6 week classes – 48 min)
• High School – have almost 70 students signed
up for class already – looking to have go to
elementary & possibly Early Childhood
Lapeer West High School
Lapeer Community Schools
Kickin Butt Since 2011
Michelle Etson (Social Worker) and Matt
Nowak (Biology Teacher – (Gotta Love the
General Education Perspective)
Strangest Two-Some since the Disney’s
“The Fox and the Hound”
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We attend field trip is the community
› Bear Lake Camp
› Great Lakes Scavenger Hunt
› Reading to elementary kids
› Restaurants
› Movie Night
We switched from blogging to Google
Docs
 It is easier for the LINKS to access
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No computer problems
Target students and mentor students
 Worked on daily living skills-no room for
diploma track kids
 Every day the students were trained and
then had to apply their knowledge
 Banking, cooking, laundry, exercise,
healthy eating, social media, job
applications, job interviews, etc
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Our ASD students were previously “managed”
by paraprofessionals
With LINKS, it allowed the students to be seen
as students
More awareness among the general
education staff
After LINKS, our ASD students were treated
more like celebrities, than the target for
bullying
A parent overheard a conversation about her
son between two students. They said “he’s
pretty cool”. Something she has never heard
from his peers
Murphy Elementary School
Lapeer Community Schools
Kickin Butt Since 2011
Michelle Etson (Social Worker) and Matt
Nowak (Biology Teacher – (Gotta Love the
General Education Perspective)
Strangest Two-Some since the Disney’s
“The Fox and the Hound”
Murphy, Schickler, Mayfield, Lynch
Turrill and Early Childhood (Lil’ LINKS)

The amount of student mentors we have. One school has
75% student mentor participation! That’s awesome!
A
student’s perspective:
 “Our LINKS program is special because we
get to help kids with Autism and other kids. I
like that we get to do that.”
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She is writing a research paper on how LINKS
impacts a student and their family
She has interviewed staff, students and parents
She plans to read her paper at graduation
She is graduating from 5th grade!
Parent initiated LINKS Lego Club at Murphy
Elementary
 Monetary support from the Lapeer Kiwanis
 Groups of 3 students communicating and
problem solving-roles switch each week
 1 lunch session a week, 4 week sessions
 We only started with 2 grades, we had over 50
kids sign up
 Everything is awesome!

 Some
elementary schools offered a LINKS
summer camp
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Students focused on socialization and transition
skills-we also threw in some reading, writing and
crafts
Sessions ran twice a week for two weeks after
school let out and two weeks before school
began
Before school started, students toured their
classroom again and their new teacher joined the
camp for a period of time
There was a reduction in “beginning of the
school year behavior” because they were already
in the routine
Bay Arenac ISD
North of the Zilwaukee Bridge
Mark Lyons
Peer to Peer Support
In a Center Based Setting
Peer Mediated
Programming
Presented by Mark Lyons
http://goo.gl/4XeW73
About Me
lMark
Lyons-AI/EI teacher for BAISD
*Worked 7 years for the MCESA
*Worked 3 years at the Arnold Center
*Given this speech a number of times to
intro level CMU/SVSU students, elementary,
middle & high schools, administration,
parent groups, summer camps
What about you?
Who am I talking to?
Agenda for the afternoon
What Peer to Peer is
How to begin
What you need
Why it’s important to you & our future
What is P2P programming
The program involves general education and
special education students interacting
collaboratively in academic and social activities
across educational environments within the school
setting during school hours.
Mentors are...
Participants
Just kids
A clue to adults as to what goes on at that age
There to provide reminders or support as they would to
any other any other student
There to learn how to appropriately help
There to learn about diversity
Mentors are not...
To replace aids
Paid staff
There to tell students what to do
How to start
For real, how to start
1. Start small
2. Educate the peers. Safety & the truth. (Volunteers Needed)
3. Have a goal, could be as simple as a high five
4. Let go
Tried & Tested
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Academic work- basic projects, worksheets, etc.
Gym activities-volleyball, bicycling, etc.
Having fun - school dances
Cooking activities- functional skills worked on
Float building- I would advise warmer climates
Job sites practice- job skills
Card games
Why
Socialization: the ability to interact socially with
others
Independence: the ability to do something on
your own
Activity
lWrite
down 10 things you did this morning
Now, label them as:
S = Socialization task
I = Independence task
A = Academic task
Results
What does that tell us?
SOCIALIZATION AND INDEPENDENCE ARE
IMPORTANT!
Developing social skills requires having social
experiences
Opportunities
Hoop Dreams
Impact
What you can't see
We do not question giving a toddler a book
to work on reading skills even though he is
far from developing that skill, so why do we
question giving a child with ASD social
experiences even though he/she might need
years of experience to develop the skill?
Educating the Future
People often make fun or are scared of what
they do not understand.
Telling the general education students
about the students with special needs allows
for successful interactions.
Knowledge is POWER!
Why
These individuals that we educate today will be future…
● teachers
● administrators
● police officers
● business owners
● lawyers
● nurses
● doctors
● governor
● You get the picture
Questions
Next activity
Give me a hug
Thank You
Mark Lyons
lyonsm@baisd.net
http://goo.gl/4XeW73
Grand Blanc Schools
Genesee County – You Know Flint
Lindsey Harr-Smith – Social Worker
I Am Going to Make This Work Even if I
Have to Talk to ISD Pupil Accounting
Person
I WILL MAKE THIS HAPPEN…NO BARRIERS
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2013-2014: 35 LINKS (26 seniors)
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2014-2015: 37 LINKS
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3 Support Staff: Teacher of Record, LINK Instructor, Social Worker
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LINK Days
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After one semester: General education teachers and students with
ASD requested to have a LINK
Friendships beyond the classroom
Parent Feedback
Children’s Hero Award
Scholarship
2 Mlive Articles
Board of Education
Sharing and getting the word out!
Pinckney Community Schools
Why Do You Spell Your
Name So Funny
Mary Peet
PATHFINDER SCHOOL
PINCKNEY, MI
7TH & 8TH GRADE
SUPPORTING
IMPROVED SCHOOL
CLIMATE
Awareness &
Acceptance
FOR TEACHERS
FOR STUDENTS
FOR EVERYONE!!!!!
SMALL IDEAS WITH BIG IMPACT
BUSINESS CARDS
T-SHIRTS
SOCIAL SKILLS
PRACTICE
Avondale School District
Bob Hart – Tank Top Bob
Renamed the LINK THINK TANK to
the LINK DRINK TANK
Avondale Middle
School LINKS
Avondale LINKS
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Started two years ago.
Nine students
supported at Avondale
Middle School.
LINKS support
students in the bus, GE
class, SE class, Lunch,
and Cross-Country.
Avondale LINKS
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LINKS are kept for
the entire year.
Trainings are held
every other week
during lunch.
Autism Knowledge
and strategies are
highly utilized
Very low turnover
rate.
Generalization
Four Events a Year:
Field Trip to Zoo
2. Bowling Outing
3. Field Trip to DIA
4. Dairy Treat Trip
1.
Clawson Public Schools
Little District in Oakland County
Lisonn Delcamp – Teacher Consultant - Tenacity
Amy Hatto – Occupational Therapist – Make It Happen
Amazing Skills with Differentiated Output and Made
Peer to Peer Support a Reality in Clawson Public Schools
Clawson Public Schools
Lisonn Delcamp, ASD Teacher Consultant &
Amy Hatto, OTR/L
Kenwood Elementary
 LINK Club
 Meets once a month
 Focus on monthly
themes and seasonal
activities
 Co-lead with ASD
teacher and Social
Worker
 Supported by paraeducators
Schalm Elementary
 LINK in the Classroom
 Meets weekly
 Focus on socialization
and fun activities
 Supported by ASD
classroom teacher
Clawson Middle School
 LINK class for each grade
level
 Lead by ASD teachers
 Typically 12-18 students in
class including 4 students
with ASD
 Highlights:
 Video Announcements:
http://vimeo.com/channels
/514003
 VSA/DIA Art Project
Clawson High
School
 Board Approved
Curriculum
 P2P Website
Community Connections
 Board Meeting
 Community Conversation
Committee C3 2015
Fraser Public Schools
Little Tiny District in Macomb County
http://prezi.com/oiva80vmkjpw/?utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=co
py&rc=ex0
share
Jean DeBruyn – Probably START’S Biggest
Believer – Heard Peer to Peer and went
CRAZY – Got MSU Involved
Livonia Public Schools
In the Hub of Wayne County
Mari MacFarland – Accreditation Approved in
Wayne County – First District in Wayne County to
Make this Happen – Kids Take the Class for Credit
Love that the District is Soooooo Big
Berrien RESA – Only 2 Hours From
Chicago – Are You Kidding Me
Dave Leonard – Upton School Teacher
Tracy Wagner – School Counselor
Data Collection Extraordinaire
Has Been Collecting Data Since the Inception of the
Peer to Peer Support Program
David Leonard Jr.
Upton Middle School P2P Teacher
Saint Joseph Public Schools
About Me
 20th year of teaching Middle School
 M.Ed. Middle Level Education, At-Risk Specialist (GVSU)
 For the last 10 years I have mentored 20-27 students per year
in an At-Risk program known as “Academic Achievement”
created from my Masters thesis at GVSU .
 We have partnered with the Berrien County RESA ASD
program for the last 9 years in a very successful P2P program.
Program Highlights
 At-Risk students in my classes demonstrated a consistent 25-
30% reduction in severe disciplinary incidents during the
school year while participating in P2P between 2005-2014.
 Academic performance improved for the majority of the At-
Risk participants in P2P between 2005-2014.
 Attendance rates improved for the majority of the At-Risk
participants in P2P between 2005-2014.
 Empathy improved for the majority of the At-Risk participants
as measured by the VIA Signature Strength for Children scale
from The University of Pennsylvania.
Ida Public Schools
Why Don’t We Call Ourselves Ohio
Laurel Wetheford –
Sought Out At Risk Students to Make Peer to
Peer Happen at Center Program
Reminder
Please fill out 3X5 Cards
Before You Take a Break
• On the 3X5 Cards, please list the three
biggest barriers to the development and
implementation of peer to peer support
programs
• Why are other districts not implementing
Peer to Peer Support Programs
• Top 3 Reasons Why
• Please Leave Cards on Table
Break
Not Really a Break
• Please Set Up Your Peer to Peer
Support Booth
• Please See Melissa Kurek for Payment
• Margie is here to help
Café Tables
• N Name Tags – what the dots mean?
• Cc Center of the tables – what the colors mean?
•
Specific Questions - timed
Timed opportunities to brainstorm (?time)
Assigned Facilitator - roles
•
Role of the Table Host
1.Facilitate the conversation at your assigned
table
– Infuse energy!
– Keep the conversation action-oriented!
– Diffuse obstacles!
2.Assist participants in switching tables
3.Record and share ideas generated at your
table
Café Tables
•
•
Etiquette cards on each table…
Box Lunches
Game #3
Teams Each Select Two Persons from
Their Team to Participate in Game 3
Two Participants Go To The Center Tables
Game #3
Elementary and Secondary
Break Out Sessions
• Elementary Group – Room D, E
• Secondary Group – Room C, F