THIRD GRADE TEACHER Melissa Sanders and her students are shown after the unveiling of the new Buddy Bench at Woodland Primary School. Photo courtesy of Woodland Public Schools
STUDENTS GET ready to cut the ribbon celebrating Woodland Primary School’s new Buddy Bench. Photo courtesy of Woodland Public Schools
Students in Melissa Sanders’ third-grade class at Woodland Primary School raised money to purchase a bench for the playground, a fixture that does more than provide a place to sit.
Known as the “Buddy Bench,” it is also a way to eliminate loneliness. Children who sit on the bench are indicating to their classmates that they want to play, and others then ask that child to join them in games.
It’s a way to ensure that no one is left out of recess activity.
“The bench does seem to be working, though it’s in its early stages and not all the kids know how to use it,” Sanders told The Reflector. “I actually went out to recess today to watch it, and there was a girl sitting there. I was concerned because I watched for a minute and no one came up. Then, I saw two girls run straight to her, and she immediately went off to play their game with them. So, it is working. Right now, everyone is just so excited.”
Sanders’ students raised $1,285.67 through a variety of activities. They provided donations themselves and from others, and sold rubber band bracelets, licorice and pickles at school during recesses.
Some children even donated their birthday money or sold treats at soccer games, painted classmates’ nails and did extra chores to come up with the money. It was more than needed to purchase the bench so the rest of the money was used to purchase friendship books and anti-bullying books along with balls and jump ropes for the playground.
The bench was purchased from Plastic Recycling of Iowa Falls, IA, and the sign designed by Sanders’ class was manufactured by Advanced Signs.
The Buddy Bench concept originated at Roundtown Elementary School of York, PA, and has become a nationwide program. To learn more about it, view the video produced by Woodland Primary School at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSaOWSBD-5A.
