Being a buddy

Maddy Pedersen and Allie Anderson, Randall fifth-graders, engage in conversation on the school's new Buddy Bench, donated by Scherrer Cares Buddy Bench Program (Photo by Jason Arndt).
Maddy Pedersen and Allie Anderson, Randall fifth-graders, engage in conversation on the school’s new Buddy Bench, donated by Scherrer Cares Buddy Bench Program (Photo by Jason Arndt).

Program allows students to bench bullying behaviors

By Jason Arndt
Staff Writer
[email protected]

The Buddy Bench not only raises awareness of schoolyard bullying, but can also reinforce positive behaviors in area schools.

Jim Scherrer, CEO of Scherrer Construction, launched the non-profit organization Scherrer Cares Buddy Bench Program in 2014 as a method of giving back to the community.

“Due to our heavy involvement in school construction as well as personal experiences from myself and other employees, we decided to take a stand against bullying by launching the Scherrer Cares Buddy Bench Program,” Scherrer said.

After the organization donated its first bench at an Omro School, the Burlington-based business reached out to local schools that included Randall Consolidated, Lakewood School in Twin Lakes and Silver Lake’s Riverview.

Both Randall and Lakewood unveiled the Buddy Bench in assemblies at their schools.

Schools introduce the benches in different ways including presentations on bullying, guest speakers and student involvement.

“Theater skits are done by the older students to teach the younger students how to use the Buddy Bench,” Scherrer added.

Joseph Sellenheim, Director of Student Services at Randall, believes the bench is symbolic and emphasizes kindness among students.

“Any time you can put something tangible in the building that helps you convey the message to students that are positive, it is a real asset to the school,” Sellenheim said.

Randall fifth-grade student Allie Andersen, who is a junior representative, was part of the all-school assembly

Andersen said the buddy bench offers a place of refuge for her fellow students, and it also encourages her classmates.

“I think that the Buddy Bench is a really good way to stop bullying and make people a lot happier,” Andersen said. “If you have ever been bullied, you know you can sit there and always count on someone to come and sit by you.”

The bench offers bullied students an opportunity to seek help, by giving their fellow students a tool to reach out through.

“I think the buddy bench is really important for kids that are being bullied and need help,” Pedersen said. “And you can go help them.”

The bench can also bolster initiatives already in place such as the Department of Public Instruction’s Positive Behavioral Intervention Support (PBIS) model.

PBIS is a program that offers support on multiple levels to insure behavioral success.

“We got a couple different programs, one of the goals in our school is to create a safe and positive place where students can learn and be free to branch out and meet others,” Sellenheim said.

For Lakewood School, the Buddy Bench comes at the right time, matching a third trimester course for middle school children, Raider Role Models.

“We have had a couple instances where students have had a tough day…and we were able to have them sit down and have another student help,” said Lakewood District Administrator Joseph Price. “It fits in with a course we are starting in the third trimester.”

Additionally, the bench enhances both schools’ all-inclusive mission, noting the most often occurrence of bullying is when students are isolated.

“It is setting up those safe zones for students to have an opportunity to express a need, and gives people an opportunity to step in help somebody in need,” Price said.

Sellenheim agreed, stating it fosters friendship and unity at Randall Consolidated School.

“If a kid is sitting at the bench, and if they feel left out and need a friend, then it’s someone’s cue to go over there and help,” Sellenheim said. “The Buddy Bench is a nice symbol as an anti-bullying tool, and is a physical reminder for kids to be kind to others and be inclusive.”

The anti-bullying tool is expanding, with several more schools expecting their own benches, according to Scherrer.

Locally, orders are in from Salem Grade School, Bristol School, Williams Bay, Wheatland Center School, Winkler School and Tibbets Elementary of Elkhorn.


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