Buddy Benches are coming to each of Henry County’s 28 public elementary schools.

The sturdy outdoor structures, recognizable due to their color and design, will be placed in specific areas of each campus for students to use with their peers. Mental health and wellness facilitators at all schools will lead training about the purpose and use of the benches.

“Our Board of Education has been clearly committed to ensuring positive school climates and every student feeling valued,” said Superintendent Mary Elizabeth Davis. “Installing Buddy Benches as a resource at each of our elementary schools is another innovative way to showcase the vital importance of building positive relationships and student friendships in schools across Henry County.”

The benches are a small part of a much larger system of wellness and support structures fostered by the Board of Education through its Community-Inspired Strategic Plan. But students believe they can make a big impact.

“I think the Buddy Benches could really change someone’s day here at Timber Ridge and all the other elementary schools in Henry County,” said Timber Ridge Elementary (TRE) second-grader Kacie Barnett at a May 16 ribbon-cutting ceremony. “Here are three reasons how: someone who might be struggling with a friend, someone who is having a hard day and wants to play, or someone who is new to TRE and does not have a friend yet.”

In addition to training teachers regarding the purpose of Buddy Benches, district officials will train students from each classroom to be wellness ambassadors for new students, students who are shy, feeling left out, or lonely. Teachers will offer further support to their classrooms on how to be positive role models for one other, build relationships, and to use the Buddy Benches.

“We look forward to continuing to work with our Mental Health and Wellness Facilitator, Kelci Sorensen, to support usage of the Buddy Benches,” added Principal Dr. Kristen McRae. “We don’t want any of our students to ever feel as if they don’t have a friend here at Timber Ridge Elementary School or at any elementary school across the district.”

Barnett, one of several student wellness ambassadors who attended last week’s ribbon-cutting, has already seen positive results from the installation of the first two Buddy Benches at TRE.

“One of my friends was a new student here and sat on the Buddy Bench,” she said. “He now joins in a game every day with his new friend that he met from sitting on our Buddy Bench.”

Buddy Benches allow space for kids who don’t have anyone to play with or talk to during recess, which is an important opportunity for elementary students to socialize with their peers. Once a student sits on the Buddy Bench, teachers aid in facilitating interaction with a buddy, one of several student wellness ambassadors, like Barnett, whose mission is to make sure their peers have a friend every day.

“The Buddy Bench is a systematic district response to ensure we help all elementary students avoid feelings of loneliness and isolation at school,” said Executive Director of Family Services Dr. Creseda Hawk.

“Many kids do not have the social skills to build and engage new friendships, and a majority of young learners have anxiety around not having friends at school,” added Director of Student Services Fredric Latschar. “Our Buddy Benches and student wellness ambassadors will help to alleviate the anxiety and pressures of students not having someone with whom they can connect.”