BLOOMINGTON - As a mediator, Daena Hernandez of Bloomington has helped solve problems that brought friends back together. "My first try, I got it right, and the two kids were friends again," said Hernandez, who works with Lucia Rebollo of Bloomington to help solve student disputes.

Their skills stand out because both girls are 9 and fresh from finishing third grade at Bent Elementary School.

"They are two of my best mediators," said Janet Reckard, a school counselor who started the mediation program as part of a larger effort to encourage good social skills at the school.

The efforts help reduce violence, bullying and provide coping skills.

Bent is the first school in the region to adopt Peaceful Schools Step II, a violence prevention curriculum, for the entire student body. The program integrates social and emotional learning with academics, and was introduced to several kindergarten classes four years ago by McLean County Community Compact.

It has since expanded to DeWitt, Livingston and McLean counties. Photos and "well scripted" stories and puppets teach children about empathy, problem solving and anger management.

"This is what our world needs," said Bent Principal Debbie Armendariz, explaining society can benefit from kids who know about empathy and problem solving.

Classroom teachers reaffirm the skills with lessons in everyday events and wall posters show children how to calm themselves when issues arise. If they know how to help themselves, the school counselor is free to help children with more intense difficulties, Amenderiz said.

Adult playground supervisors embraced the changes as well, Reckard said.

"I'm so happy to see it being used throughout Bent, and that it will have lasting effects," said Emily Freese, program coordinator for McLean County Community Compact, University of Illinois Extension.

Barbara Stuart, a Compact founder and long-time supporter of the social skills program, would like to see Second Step used across the state and the nation.