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Kiwanis Club Donates Buddy Benches to Frankfort-Schuyler Elementary School
Frankfort-Schuyler Elementary School is pleased to announce that the Frankfort Kiwanis Club has purchased and donated four Buddy Benches to be used throughout the district. Two benches will be located on the elementary school playgrounds, another will be located at the middle school and the last will be used at the high school.
The benches, donated in memory of Mrs. Barberio’s husband Andy Barberio, will help to eliminate loneliness and foster friendships on the playground. Mr. Barberio was a kind, helpful and considerate man who was “everyone’s buddy,” and the benches will serve as a very touching tribute to Mr. Barberio and the type of person that he was.
Buddy Benches help to promote inclusion of all students, as well as kindness towards others. The idea behind the benches is that if a student is ever feeling lonely or left out, he or she should sit down and that will let other children know they should go over and begin to chat with them.
Students are encouraged to sit on the Buddy Bench if they cannot find anyone to play with during recess. Students are also asked to keep a few guidelines in mind when using a Buddy Bench:
- Before you sit on the Buddy Bench, think of something you would like to do. Look around for a game you can join or a friend that you want to play with. Ask someone else to play with you!
- Only sit there if you cannot find anyone to play with.
- While you are sitting on the bench, look around for a game you can join.
- If you see something you want to do or a friend you want to talk to, get off of the bench and play!
- If you are sitting on the bench, play with classmates who invite you.
- Students sitting on the bench together can invite each other to play.
- Keep playing with your new friends!
When you see someone sitting on the Buddy Bench:
- Start by saying “hello”.
- If you do not know the person, introduce yourself.
- Make conversation (“What’s up?” “How are you?” “I like your shoes”)
- Ask them to play with you or suggest an activity you can do together
- Most importantly, do not make it the last time you spend time with each other. Keep playing with your new friend!
The Buddy Benches were presented to the Elementary School during a Dedication Ceremony on October 2. During the ceremony, Mrs. Barberio, her son, Andy Jr., and Frankfort Kiwanis President Bill Evans told students in the school’s K-Kids Club about why the donation was made in memory of Mr. Barberio.
“The purpose of the Buddy Benches is to show friendship, mentorship and to be part of the group,” said Evans. “It instills confidence and supports those shy, introverted students who need a friend. It represents the values of Andy, who was a friend, leader, mentor and who we as Kiwanians were all proud of.”
Andy Jr. encouraged students to utilize the Buddy Benches to build relationships with your classmates and to think about three things -- supporting each other, respecting each other and helping each other.
*Photo from Times Telegram story.