Elementary School Buddy Program Blossoms

A hallmark experience of Crossroads Elementary School is its Buddy Program, which began over 30 years ago. At the beginning of the school year, teachers Lori Rousso and Diana Grycan convened their sixth grade and kindergarten classes for a Rose Gathering ceremony to welcome the school’s youngest students to the community. (Now retired, Lori is also the parent of three alumni and grandparent of three alumni; Diana is the parent of two alumni and grandparent to a current student.)

Today, the tradition lives on as part of the Buddy Program, and is a mentorship experience that students look forward to as they progress through the Elementary School. Fourth graders serve as buddies to first graders to prepare for the bigger challenge the following year: Buddying up with the youngest students on campus. 

The process begins at the start of the school year when fifth graders visit the kindergarten classrooms and playground to spend time mingling with the younger students. Each fifth grader is encouraged to meet as many kindergarteners as possible, making connections while drawing, building with blocks and playing tag outdoors. After two meetups, the kindergarten and fifth grade teachers work together to pair students in a formal buddy partnership for the year. 

“In fourth grade when they have their first grade buddies, it's kind of the trial run,” said fifth grade teacher Stacy Schellhaas. “And then in fifth grade, it's a lot more of a mentoring program. The fifth graders are ushering in the new kindergarteners to the school and giving them someone that they know and have a special connection to, someone they can lean on if they get a little nervous or scared.” 

Each week, the classes meet up for “Buddy Time” allowing fifth graders to connect further with their kindergarten friends, learning about their interests while playing games and exploring activities in the classroom. The two grades attended a field trip to the Underwood Farms together earlier this year. Oftentimes, students make plans to meet up with their buddy after school or on the weekend. 

In October, the students participate in a beginning-of-the-year Rose Ceremony. During a Friday Gathering, buddy pairs take the stage in the Joanie Martin Community Room. Each fifth grader shares a special memory and what they appreciate most about their kindergarten friend before presenting them with a handmade clay rose. The school year is bookended with another Rose Ceremony, in which kindergarteners share wishes for their fifth grade buddies as they prepare to leave the Norton Campus for middle school. 

At this year’s opening Rose Gathering, fifth grader Gia G. shared, “Edie, not only are your smiles amazing, they make me smile. Your hugs are the best—you give the biggest hugs whenever I see you. I love how you make every moment special. You always bring laughter and joy to everything you do. I hope you have an amazing year in kindergarten. Keep spreading your love and joy, because it’s contagious.”

Of his kindergarten buddy, Finn, fifth grader Elliot C. said, “You are such a funny and smart kid. You once told me that when you grow up, you want to be an ornithologist. First off, I didn’t even know what that was, and I definitely didn’t think that a kindergartener would know about that. Not only are you really intelligent, you’re a pro at hide and seek. Finn, you are the best buddy I could ask for. I look forward to watching you grow throughout the year.”  

In addition to welcoming kindergarteners and their families into the school, the Buddy Program also provides space for fifth graders to practice social emotional skills like listening and checking in with others while developing leadership skills and confidence. 

“For fifth graders, it's about knowing that you are the oldest and you are the example,” said fifth grade teacher Tammy Abrahem, noting that teachers ask the fifth graders to consider what being a mentor means with questions like: “What does that embody? What does that look like? How am I showing up in every space?” 

She continued, “Fifth graders are at this interesting age developmentally. We see a different side of them when they're with these younger ones that we would've never seen if it wasn't for this program. And I think that helps with their transition next year to being the youngest, knowing it's scary and being new on a campus and kind of thinking back like, ‘Well, that was my buddy.’”