Buddy Benches Bring Students Together At South Bay

Press release from the West Babylon School District:

June 5, 2021

Hailey Frampton, a fourth grader in Mr. Schneider’s class at South Bay
Elementary School in the West Babylon School District, recently served as “Principal for
a Day” alongside South Bay Principal Christina Cotter. During the day, she shared an
idea that she and her classmates had discussed in class: making the school benches
outside into buddy benches.

A buddy bench allows someone who may feel lonely or want to talk to someone,
to sit down and signal to others that they are looking for a buddy. “It’s is a great way for
students to make connections and feel heard and included,” Ms. Cotter said. “Hailey
and her classmates wanted to create signs to put by the benches to explain to students
in pictures and words how to utilize the buddy benches.”

Ms. Cotter brought the idea the school’s student council. “They loved the idea
and got to work creating beautiful signs,” she said. “The signs are up, thanks to our
awesome custodial staff, and look great.”

This press release was produced by the West Babylon School District. The views expressed here are the author’s own.