Fourth graders from Karen Moses’ class at South Ridge Elementary School in Ridgefield stand with the new Friendship Bench donated to the school.
The new Friendship Bench
There’s a new place for students to sit at the South Ridge Elementary playground — a Friendship Bench. Karen Moses’ fourth-grade class made the bench as a way to support other students.
When a student wants someone to talk to or play with, they can go sit on the Friendship Bench. Other students and staff understand the signal. They can go to the bench to become a friend. By providing a place for students to go when they are lonely or dealing with issues — big or small — the Friendship Bench helps encourage friendships, support, and kindness.
The Friendship Bench was made and donated by parents Alex and Sarah Peru and their family. They had a plaque made to designate it as a Friendship Bench. And the students had a fun time putting paint on their hands to add colorful handprints to the bench.
“I’m overwhelmed with the generosity of the family that made this for us! It turned out so beautiful,” Moses said.
Moses hopes the new Friendship Bench will inspire students to connect with each other at school. South Ridge students are already using the Friendship Bench, building new friendships one step at a time.
— Ridgefield School District
