A simple bench on the playground at Hampton and Riverdale elementary schools is helping make sure no student feels left out during recess. Known as a Buddy Bench, the brightly colored seat gives students a clear signal: if someone is sitting there, they may be feeling lonely and could use a friend. Other students are encouraged to notice the bench and invite that child to play. Watch the Video.
The idea didn’t come from adults — it started with a student.
“I was in first grade, and we were reading a book, and I was like, ‘Why don’t we have one at our school?’” said Eva Schumann, a third grader at Riverdale Elementary. “Every time I walk around the playground, I see at least two or three people by themselves, and I didn’t like that.”
Schumann said seeing other students alone made her feel sad and worried.
“There’s lots of people on the playground that they could ask to play, and then I’m worried that people aren’t letting them play with,” she said.
Her idea gained traction and, with help from the River Cities Rotary Club, turned into reality at both schools. The benches were funded through a community grant written by Sue Hebel, the Rotary’s grant chair and a retired librarian.
“It’s a great way for kids to be aware of other children and how other children may feel,” Hebel said. “It just teaches kids to be kinder and to consider their fellow classmates as friends and being kind to other people.”
School leaders say the benches are already being used regularly.
“I’d say it’s utilized every single day at recess,” said Mark Lofgren, principal at Riverdale Elementary. “It might only be two or three kids on a given day, but it does seem like our students are really in tune and aware of the purpose of the buddy bench.”
Students say they see it working firsthand.
“My friends and I went up to a third grader who was sitting on the bench,” said Emma Hood, a fifth grader. “They said they didn’t have anyone to play with, so we played on the monkey bars with them. I think they were surprised, but really happy.”
Hood said she used the bench herself last year.
“My friends came right away and sat with me, and then we went and played volleyball together,” she said. “It made me feel really happy, because then nobody’s sad and they always have friends to play with.”
Administrators say the Buddy Bench fits into broader lessons about empathy and character.
“We want our kids to not only excel academically, but to be people of character,” said Jake Klipsch, superintendent and principal at Hampton School.
“Our academics are kind of the black-and-white structure, and these things color that in and create a more full picture of what it means to be a good human being.”
The Rotary grant supported more than just the benches. Each classroom received an age-appropriate book about Buddy Benches, giving teachers a way to reinforce those lessons inside the classroom.
The grant also funded a funnel ball game — a unique playground activity that doubles as a learning tool.