"Buddy" Beginnings

In an effort to build community and an appreciation for others, last Friday marked the beginning of a new program at Sibley.  Our 6th and 1st grade teachers and students, lead be our music, phy-ed, and art teachers, have started to develop a "Buddy" program.  For their first activity together, 6th grade students were paired with a 1st grade student and together they ate lunch.  Prior to this event, staff at Sibley had talked about developing a program that would allow our older students to be leaders and role models to our younger students  and we were thrilled to say that it was a success.  Older students spent time visiting and getting to know their new "buddies" and we will continue to develop and devote an activity a month to this new endeavor.  First grade students were thrilled to be able to have an older student to visit with and look out for them.  Older students were great in that they saw the importance of being a good role model and making their younger peers feel less vulnerable and anxious when around older students.  Further ideas will continue to foster a system that is supportive of others and puts our older students into roles that require them to "do the right thing" and get all students caring for the other.  We are excited to see this grow.