This article originally appeared in START Connecting in October 2024. 

Are you ready to join over 600 buildings statewide with a Peer to Peer program, or enhance your existing program with fresh activities? Either way, START has excellent resources to explore! 

Before you begin, keep this STARTism in mind: START Somewhere and START Now. Each Peer to Peer program has their own unique story that has been written and edited over time, but they all began by taking their first step. We invite you to take that step today!

The Prologue: Setting the Foundation
When you are beginning to write the story of your Peer to Peer program, it is important to set a strong foundation. Explore these resources to set up a program that uses a participation model that emphasizes authentic peer relationships.

• The Definition of Peer to Peer provides an overview of how Peer to Peer can be embedded within a school community to intentionally connect students with and without disabilities across the school day, promoting belonging for all students.
• The Peer Friendship Formula describes how authentic friendships develop when students have shared activities with regular opportunities over time and connect around their common interests. Use this formula to set the stage. 
• The Participation vs. Helping Model Flyer is a tool to communicate the importance of grounding your program in a Participation Model in which students with and without disabilities come together to engage in shared activities where all students learn together in reciprocal relationships.

The Main Story: Establishing Your Program
Let the adventure begin! There are many resources to help you along the way as you write the main story of your Peer to Peer program. 

• The updated Elementary and Secondary Peer to Peer Program Playbooks include narrative guidance, examples, and templates to help teams design high-quality Peer to Peer programs.  Keep in mind, you don’t have to read the Playbook all at once. Consider tackling a section or two each week with your team.
• The new Elementary Peer to Peer Curriculum is an organized package of resources  with lessons and activities to enrich student learning. Example lessons are available for Grades K-5, with topics such as: All about Us, Friendship and Inclusion, and Bullying. Currently, the content for September, October, and November are live; lessons will continue to be populated over the course of the 2024-2025 school year. 
• The Secondary Curriculum is an updated version of the Peer to Peer Online Course. It provides access to quality, engaging, and age-appropriate content for high school Peer to Peer students. The new Semester 3 curriculum is now live.

The Epilogue: Enhancing Your Program
If you already have a Peer to Peer program, there are many opportunities to expand and enrich your activities.

• Fridays for All is a 20-week activity resource for elementary teachers to catalyze inclusive thinking and action in their classrooms. It includes circle questions, team-building games, books and videos for discussion, and teacher tips to help everyone learn about similarities and value differences.
• To further enhance your program, complete the Peer to Peer Fidelity Checklist each year. Discuss and reflect on this checklist with your team to celebrate successes and plan your next steps.
• For inspiration, explore Peer to Peer implementation ideas from educators across the state through the Learning from the Pandemic: Creative Approaches to Peer to Peer resource.

Telling Your Story
An important part of maintaining your Peer to Peer program involves telling your story. Data is a wonderful tool for sharing your message.

• Connect with your RCN Representative about submitting your Peer to Peer Data to be featured on the Peer to Peer Map, which is updated annually. 

Through Peer to Peer, we have the opportunity to write a new chapter in our schools—one where every student can experience a sense of belonging. Whether you're starting fresh or enhancing an existing program, these resources can help frame your story. Every story begins with the first word, so, START Somewhere and START Now. Together, we can shape a narrative of belonging that creates lasting change in our school communities. 

Written by: Stephanie Pulido, M.Ed., Program Evaluation and Resource Development Specialist

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