Orange Avenue School’s Peer Group
by Natalie Fidlow @nfidlow
Twenty-five years ago, Brian Gilroy started Peer Group at Orange Avenue School in Cranford. Peer Group is a social skills program where younger children, “peers,” buddy up with middle school “peer leaders” to play and build friendship skills.
Angela Braxton explains it as “showing all kids what it’s like and what it means to be a peer.”
And it’s no small task.
Today, Angela Braxton is at the helm of a Peer Group with over 300 participants from Orange Avenue School and other elementary schools in the district. “The peer leaders run the program, and I make it happen.” Braxton humbly clarifies when asked how long she’s been running this program for which she’s been a valuable part for 17 years.
One recent Friday, Braxton let us be her sidekick to see the peer leaders with their peer buddies. The halls and classrooms were lively. Outside, Peer Leader Kendall Toddings started a game of noodle tag with a handful of buddies while Joey Letourneau was shooting baskets on the court with other peers. Inside, groups were playing board games and drawing pictures. And some Peer leaders were helping kids color or do homework. The atmosphere was light and fun.
Peers enjoyed games and activities with friends, while leaders and Mrs. Braxton also targeted social and friendship goals for the kids.
How does a child become a peer?
Parents, teachers, and counselors approach Braxton if they feel a child, typically in elementary school, could benefit from a social skills-building environment. The child may be quiet, needs a voice, or could use practice with peers. Braxton will send home a packet to the parents to work directly with them from that point. The information from the packet helps Braxton know the child and the specific skills a parent would like the peer leader to work on with their child. Braxton reads everything from the parent and then matches them to a Peer Leader. The leader will play with their Peer working on targeted social skills like playing gaga ball with others or talking while coloring. One Peer Leader walked by with two assigned Peers. “Both parents want their children to learn to play with friends, so I buddied them up,” explains Braxton.
Who are the Peer Leaders?
This group of Orange Avenue 7th and 8th graders is trained to run the Peer Group. “You don’t have to be perfect. I often spot a child on the playground and see something in them that will make them a good leaders. However, these kids are role models for our youth and will encounter real-life issues with the children, so we take great care.” As a para-aid and recess coordinator, Braxton knows the kids at school. If a middle schooler can give the time commitment, the application involves an essay, interviews, and teacher recommendations.
The peer leaders then receive training and meet regularly with Braxton and the school counselor to discuss any issues or concerns with their peer buddies.
Peer Group extends beyond the after-school buddies as well. The program covers topics such as bullying, suicide, and life skills. The leaders go to different schools and classrooms, make bulletin boards, and participate in plays with issues ranging from celebrating black history, learning life skills, and addressing hatred and bullying.
The students learn to be mature, handle these serious topics, and get help when needed. Case in point, during our tour, a peer leader approached Braxton to notify her of a new child who was upset and wanted to be left alone. Braxton coached her to grab crayons and paper, sit next to the child, and just be there. When we checked on them a few minutes later, the child was in the mix, coloring and talking to the leader.
Throughout the year, peer leaders help with 6th-grade summer orientation, new student tours, and other assistance requested from teachers. The leaders plan yearly activities, hold monthly meetings, and fundraise with a bake sale. Braxton says the most challenging part is “trying to accommodate all the needs of students while giving them room to express their individuality.” They have things to get done, but she does not want them to be robots.
Braxton sees the leaders and the peers come into their own throughout the years. “We’re making ambassadors too. The training we give the kids extends beyond the peer buddies to their peers at school. Not letting others be shy and picking peers for teams when they never get picked. They say no to a best friend who says, “don’t play with that person.” The best part of the program for Braxton is receiving phone calls from former peers, now 30 years old, thanking her for the lessons that have helped them throughout their lives.
And a final note about this picture of Braxton with this year’s Peer Captains. The majority of the captains started in the program years ago as Peers.
Overall, the Peer Group at Orange Avenue School is integral to the community. It teaches kids valuable life lessons, connects them with their peers, and empowers them to be the best versions of themselves.