Meadow Pond Elementary School Installs 'Buddy Bench'

By Sarah Studley

Students at Meadow Pond Elementary School in South Salem have recently been enjoying a new addition to the playground area. The Buddy Bench, a simple wooden bench, invites children to foster a sense of inclusion on the playground by befriending classmates who sit on the bench.

The idea for a Buddy Bench was introduced by a second-grade student in Pennsylvania who wanted to make sure peers in need of extra support or encouragement felt included.

Meadow Pond’s Buddy Bench was introduced at the school’s Oct. 29 town meeting and was installed in the playground shortly thereafter. Students have been eager to utilize the bench and discuss its importance during recess.

“We are very excited about the project, and it seems to be working out great so far,” said Assistant Principal Dawn Pomeroy, who worked with parent Heather Trivedi and the PTA’s Character Education Committee to bring the bench to fruition.

Photo: Meadow Pond Elementary School fourth-grade students (from left) Julia Johnston, Brooke Habinowski, Talia Blechman and Kristina Fonseca connect at the school’s new Buddy Bench. Photo credit: Katonah-Lewisboro School District