MINNESOTA CONFERENCE
Northwoods Elementary Friendship Bench Teaches Kindness
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mentioned the idea to head teacher Jamie Madden and received a positive response. Long’s husband, Mike Long, often passed a house selling handmade benches on his way to work. He ordered one, and it was soon ready. The bench was introduced to the students on the first day of the school year. They were challenged with the concept of inviting those on the bench to join their play. “The kids stood up and formed lines to sign their names on the bench,” Long said. “I got tears in my eyes. I prayed a lot about it. I look for different ways for kids to think of others.” Madden said, “What I like is it provides a visual clue, without anything being said, that the students need to be inclusive of everyone.” Kari Schebo, who teaches grades 2-4, said she sees the bench used at least three or four times a week in her class, especially with new students. “When someone feels like everyone is in a group and they weren’t invited to the group, they sit down and
within 30 seconds, someone comes and invites them to play,” said Schebo. Second grader Florinda Rivera put it simply: “I like it because I ask people if they
want to play with me and they say ‘Yes.’” John Bedell is education superintendent for the Minnesota Conference.
If students feel left out during recess, they can sit on the bench and someone will invite them to play. Photos: John Bedell
little white, wooden bench stands on the edge of the playground at Northwoods Elementary in Hutchinson, Minnesota. On a sunny, September day while children play on the monkey bars, swings and basketball court, it sits empty. The bench is called the Friendship Bench and the students will quickly tell you how it works. “It means if someone doesn’t have a friend, they can sit on the bench,” said Izzie Gaslin, a second grader. “Someone will see them and come ask them to play.” “I’ve sat on the bench before, and I’ve also got people off the bench,” said second grader Stella Trana. The bench was the idea of Northwoods parent Lisa Long. “I was watching the news and cooking supper one evening,” Long said. “It came up on the news. I thought, I would love that for Northwoods.” Long watched the story again online and, with a little more research, found the book The Friendship Bench by Whitney Dineen. She
The Friendship Bench helps prevent bullying and neglect by encouraging students to be mindful of being inclusive of one another.
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