Hoosier Prairie Elementary unveils Buddy Bench

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — The Vigo County School Corporation is doing its final Buddy Bench presentations of the school year this week.

Monday, a Buddy Bench was presented to Hoosier Prairie Elementary School.

The Buddy Bench is a way for kids at schools to show they need someone to play with without having to say so out loud. All they have to do is sit on the bench, and that signals to other kids that they want someone to play with them.

These benches are meant to be a proactive way to combat bullying by making sure that everyone is included.

Meghan Olds, is a school counselor at Hoosier Prairie Elementary, and she said the bench will be a great addition to their school.

“Our kids are amazing, they always want to include everyone,” Olds said. “So I know if a kid is sitting on the bench, they are going to immediately go up and have five or six kids trying to hang out with them.”

Olds also said that initiatives like the Buddy Bench make the environment of the school better and encourage kids to want to come to school and show kindness to their peers.

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