Our Expanding Buddy Program

PJA has had a special buddy program for our Middle School students and our K-2 students for many years. Many students would say that getting to know their younger or older buddies was one of the highlights of their PJA experience. This year we were determined to expand the buddy partnerships to the rest of the Lower School students and to include our pre-K students. 

Over the last two weeks, the buddies were introduced to each other, read stories together, and are getting to know one another. It was exciting to see our 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders embrace their role as older buddies and recognize the importance of being a good role model and a good friend to their younger buddies. And it was a joy to watch how confident and self-assured our pre-K students were as they met their new and taller friends. 

Harry says about his 5th grade partner, “Benji is *thumbs up sign*.”

Everett in pre-K had a great time with his 5th grade buddies. “The whole time my buddies read me a shark book, but they skipped the gross parts!” 

Eli “liked telling goofy jokes” with his older buddy, Zakai in 3rd grade.

The older buddies have lots of ideas for how they would like to spend more time with their pre-K buddies. Shira in 5th grade is “looking forward to bonding with little Remy.” She hopes that in the future, the buddies can sit together during Kabbalat Shabbat. George, also in 5th grade is exuberant about the buddy program. “They are amazing!” he said. He hopes they can do art together at a future meeting. When asked how she feels about partnering with a younger student, Kayla in 3rd grade said, "I feel great about it because I get to be the older buddy and I want to make an impact on her life." We look forward to introducing many more opportunities for these new friendships to develop.