Holy Spirit Elementary School has received a “Buddy Bench” from the Cochrane 3rd Girl Guides.
“The Buddy Bench is a place that kids can go when they are feeling alone or need a friend – and it is a way of building community within the school,” said Holy Spirit vice-principal Kirk Linton.
The Girl Guides approached the staff at the school earlier this year, asking if they could build and donate the bench to the local elementary school with the staff’s agreement and approval of the project.
With the help of lumber donations from Lloyd Bulloch at Davidson Enman Lumber and paint donations from Justin Baitoiu at Rom Paint Ltd., the bench was completed and donated to the school on Nov. 24, and placed in the “Butterfly Garden.”
“The Butterfly Garden is a natural classroom area,” Linton explained.
“An outdoor classroom (and) real community gathering space. Kids can be out in nature and learning out there.”
The Buddy Bench is now there for students who might be feeling lonely to take a seat on the bench, while staff encourages other students to talk to anyone who might be sitting on the bench.
“The kids are loving it. It is very popular,” Linton explained.
“If the (students) see anyone in need of a buddy they are the first ones there to help them out.”
Staff at Holy Spirit Elementary School expressed their gratitude to organizer Leanne Korczak and Nikkie Neave and the Cochrane 3rd Girl Guides for the new addition to the school, as mentioned on the school’s website.
“These students are examples of active citizenship in their community and have shown us all how to ‘walk humbly’ through service to others. We are honoured to have been given this community-building bench,” – Holy Spirit School website.
