Everyone needs a buddy

"My buddy has a sister just like me!" announced a preschooler. "I love drawing and playing with my buddy!" From the earliest ages St. Roch creates an atmosphere of belonging. Starting in preschool classes (pre-k through 1st) pair up with 6th through 8th grade students. They work together on a variety of projects throughout the school year.  The preschool and their 6th grade buddies discussed their similarities and differences (pictured above). Last month, the Kindergarten and 8th grade pairs created snowmen together. In early December, the 7th grade created Christmas stories for their 1st grade buddies. They gathered together to read to the students and reveal the personalized Christmas tales. In October, the Preschool and the 6th grades traveled to the pumpkin patch together. "I loved playing chase with my buddy at the pumpkin patch!" revealed one 4 year old. 

These opportunities allow the students to witness what happens outside of their classroom and build relationships with older students. "As a parent I love that my children are not intimidated by the big kids because they have an ally in an older class. The relationships they build with the older students make it easier to understand growth and differences as they progress through school." The close-knit atmosphere of St. Roch is reinforced on many levels but the buddy program strengthens the familiarity of the entire school.