Walnut Ridge shows off 'Buddy Benches'

VERNON — It was a red carpet affair, with Oscar awards. The sweetest little children welcomed the first-grade stars on Jan. 27 to Walnut Ridge Primary School for two showings of the big hit movie: “Buddy Benches.”
Buddy Benches are a phenomena spreading throughout American playgrounds in an effort to help young children deal with loneliness. If a lonely child sits on a bench, it signals other children to come make a new friend.
The idea began in Germany, and the first bench in America occurred in Roundtown Elementary School, York, Pa. The Roundtown School's principal actually attended the same college as Walnut Ridge School Counselor Nicole Keane.
Keane and Principal Rosemary Gebhardt produced the buddy bench movie, which will be included in Keane's application for “State Counselor of the Year,” thus, highlighting the school counseling program.
Keane previously won the “Sussex County Counselor of the Year” award.
During the afternoon matinee, Gephardt explained to the students about the special perks first-graders enjoy at Walnut Ridge School: Student of the Month, “Safeties,” and even making movies.
The video spoke of: making new friends, calming down, playing, chatting, working conflict out, getting an adult if necessary, asking someone to play, being a good friend, and remaining a good friend.
Throughout the movie, many of the “stars” sat on peaceful blue benches, another child would join them, and off they would run together to play.
After the showing, the Kindergarten students were ready to meet the first-grade movie stars in person.
Down walked the stars on the red carpet to receive their Oscars. After the Oscar recipients received their awards, they reviewed the “Buddy Bench” rules one more time.
Keane told the Kindergartners they would see the movie on the Walnut Ridge website and to use the Buddy Benches when outside playing on the playgrounds.
The Kindergartners said, “Thank you!” to the first-graders, clapping and cheering.