FORT FAIRFIELD, Maine — Students at Fort Fairfield Elementary School now have a means to help someone who might be having a rough patch in their day, thanks to a gift from the school’s parent-teacher organization.
School Principal Sue Parks said though care and attention is given to foster a school culture where every child feels safe and included, staff recognize there are times when children are at loose ends during recess, and need help re-engaging with their peers.
The PTO stepped forward with a plan to address the situation by purchasing a friendship bench for the playground. The bright orange bench carries the phrase “Friendships Bloom on our Buddy Bench.”
The group used proceeds from their annual fundraisers as well as money collected from Box Tops. The notion behind the Friendship Bench is to provide a safe location for a child to sit while collecting his or her thoughts. It is also a visible reminder to teachers that a little one may need help in rejoining the recess fun.
Teachers have talked with their students about the new friendship bench, and when they see a schoolmate sitting on the bench, the students have been encouraged them to be kind and to invite the child to join them in a recess game or activity.
