FROM STAFF REPORTS

ALABASTER – Meadow View Elementary School is using a couple of recently installed “buddy benches” in the schools playgrounds to encourage students to support and befriend each other. The “Be a Buddy” Project will work in conjunction with the Buddy Benches on each playground.

The MVES PTO funded the purchase and installation of two custom “buddy benches.

The purpose of the buddy benches is to offer a central location at a playground where a student can go and sit when they need someone to play or talk with. Sitting on the bench indicates this, and encourages classmates to support each other.

Each month during counseling time, the MVES counselors will incorporate the monthly topic or “Buddy Tips,” which hopes to teach the students “what it means to be a buddy,” and ways they can express that positively. These tips will also be announced on the morning news at the beginning of the month.

The goal of the project is to build a foundation of awareness, acceptance, kindness and that all students can “Be a buddy.”

This project is a partnership between MVES PTO and one of the parent representatives of MVES for the 2018-19 Parent Teacher Leadership Academy: Amy Lamoreaux.