SASKATOON – Making new friends can be challenging in school. But now students can take a seat on what’s known as a “Buddy Bench” at a school in Saskatoon’s Fairhaven neighbourhood.
The purpose is to create friendships amongst today’s youth during recess. It’s a relatively simple idea spreading in Canada and has found success in Europe and the United States.
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The principal of St. Mark Catholic elementary school, Owen Fortosky, says the bench is a recent addition to their playground.
“You know we just got things rolling. We have a couple of really good university students here who are doing their internship. They thought this would be a great idea,” said Fortosky.
“I’m really proud of the fact that they’re putting our students first.”
The bench helps eliminate loneliness by giving kids the opportunity to make friends that could last a lifetime.
Intern Amber Bloom thinks it’s a useful tool for kids.
“The purpose behind the buddy bench is for kids who are feeling lonely or left out at recess. It’s a place where they can go and then anyone who sees them knows that they are looking for friends.”
In order to educate the students about the buddy bench, intern Kristina Ofstie says a play really helped them grasp the new concept.
“So we had my Grade 8 girls do a wonderful skit where they showed all the kids in the assembly what’s expected of them to do when there’s a child on the buddy bench. And we’ve also opened up the option of kids coming and asking us questions.”
Fortosky adds it’s important for kids to know how to act around each other.
“It’s fantastic having a sense of empathy for others is really something we try to instill here at St. Mark. Something like this really goes a long way in making that happen.”
Brady Ratzlaff contributed to this story
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