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YORK, Pa. (AP) — More schools around York County are hoping to incorporate a Buddy Bench, an idea popularized by a Central York School District student, into their efforts to combat bullying and promote friendships among students.
In 2013, Christian Bucks, a student at Roundtown Elementary, brought his school the idea of a Buddy Bench — a place for students feeling lonely can sit, and other students can ask them to play or talk. The idea took off around the country, and now a few schools in York County are adopting the idea.
Several organizations are working together to bring the idea to Lincoln Charter School in York.
Angie Garrison, with CORE-Design Group, said the architectural firm saw a good opportunity to bring schools, local government and businesses together to expand Buddy Benches. The firm reached out to state Rep. Kevin Schreiber, who put them in touch with the charter school.
CORE representatives visited the school to teach them about tools in the architectural industry and talk about different bench designs. Students came up with their own ideas, and CORE worked pieces of those into three possibilities, Garrison said.
The students voted on the final design, and Lincoln student "ambassadors" have sat in on planning meetings along the way.
"We want to keep the students involved, that way they feel ownership and proud of the bench that's going to be on their playground," Garrison said.
The colorful final design includes seating of different heights with a canopy, which students wanted because there's no shade on that part of the playground.
Anne Clark, community outreach director at Lincoln, said the bench will also include some of the school's core value words, like integrity and hope.
"I think it's going to be really wonderful," Clark said, "It's just one more piece of community for us."
The school is working on curriculum to go along with the bench, which will be an extension of Lincoln's "Roar for Peace" anti-bullying program.
Wagman Construction will make the bench, and CORE is reaching out to companies to try to get materials donated or discounted. Marketview Arts has donated space for a Buddy Bench exhibit in November for the public to learn about the project.
In the Red Lion Area School District, North Hopewell-Winterstown Elementary School is in the beginning stages of working on a Buddy Bench, said Abby Gold, principal. Students chatted with Christian through Facetime and were excited about the idea, she said. She said it's just part of an effort to work on culture and encourage good behavior, noting kids aren't always genuinely nice to each other.
All classes are also reading the book "What Do You Do With An Idea?" Gold said, so they've talked about how Christian had a good idea and it grew.
"You could come up with an idea like that," she said the kids are reminded.
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Information from: York Daily Record, http://www.ydr.com
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