A program aimed at preventing bullying, anxiety and loneliness for young children in school is making a huge impact in the greater Saint John area.
It’s called the Buddy Bench Program, where kids are able to sit on a bench with someone if they ever feel alone.
Another purpose behind the program is to teach children how to be empathetic towards one another.
Forest Hills Principal Melissa Savoie tells CHSJ News they have Grade 5 students who are recess and lunch buddies who will look for a student on the Buddy Bench and try to match them up with someone they can play or see if anything is bothering them.
17 schools have already placed the buddy benches around their playgrounds and another 26 schools are currently on the waiting list.
Schools who are already participating include Bayside Elementary, St. John the Baptist, Centennial, Forest Hills, Champlain Heights, Deer Island, Lakewood Heights, St. George Elementary, Bayview Elementary, Hampton Elementary, Princess Elizabeth, Hazen White-St. Francis and Chris Saunders Elementary.
