Lillian Welch, a 4th grader in Mrs. Miller’s class, had the idea to add a ‘Buddy Bench’ to our playground. She researched the idea for her Student Council campaign and thought we could use a little more kindness at our school. The idea behind a Buddy Bench is simple and one that all kids understand. It’s a place students can go if they feel like they don’t have anyone to play with at recess.

Our Buddy Bench is painted bright yellow and will soon be decorated with handprints. It is under a tree near the soccer field and all students at TZ have watched a video explaining how it works. When students see someone sitting on the bench, they can go up to that child and invite him/her to play. One rule of our Anti-Bullying program at TZ is that we will try to include others who are left out, so when we heard Lillian’s idea, we knew it was a good one and would help kids at TZ feel included. At some point in our lives, we have all experienced the feeling of being left out, and it is not much fun. Here are some guidelines for students to think about when using the bench:

When you sit on the Buddy Bench:

• Before you sit on the Buddy Bench, think of something you would like to do at recess. Ask someone to play with you.

• The bench isn’t for socializing or hanging out. Only sit there if you can’t find anyone to play with.

• While you’re sitting on the bench, look around for a game you can join.

• If you see something you want to do or a friend you want to talk to, get off the bench and go join them.

• If you’re sitting on the bench, please play with the first classmate that invites you.

When you see someone sitting on the bench:

• Start by saying hi. If you don’t know the student, introduce yourself.

• Make conversation. Say, “What’s up? How are you?” and/or give a compliment.

• Ask the student to play with you or suggest an activity you can do together.

Greetings TZ Parents/Guardians!

At TZ we appreciate parents/guardians that would like to volunteer to assist in the classrooms and/or go on field trips. As a part of any volunteer activity, we must have a cleared background check on file for each person wanting to assist here at school or accompany a class on a field trip. New this year, we will require anyone going beyond the office that will have any interaction with students to have a cleared background check on file. Also new this year for all GCSC schools, a background check expires at the end of the school year, and a new background check will need to be completed at the start of the new school year.

I wanted to take time to clarify the limited/volunteer background checks. These background checks are free to our volunteers. A limited/volunteer background check is only good for one calendar year. If a volunteer wishes to continue volunteering after one year, they must submit a new application.

A link to the form that needs to be completed and turned in to the TZ office is below. You may also come by the school to complete the form. We do need to have a copy of your driver’s license to process the request.

Again, we appreciate your willingness to volunteer.

Mr. Strube

For those that already have a Kroger account and a linked Kroger Plus Card

Note: Each December you will need to reconnect your Kroger Plus Card to the organization you wish to support. If you have already connected your Kroger Plus Card to TZ, we ask that you take a few minutes to reconnect your card to continue to support TZ.

Men can play an important role in the lives of our students. Please consider volunteering an hour of your time each month to help students, and support TZ. We are looking for volunteers to help welcome students as they start their day, provide classroom support, and help with special events and spirit days. If you are willing to help, please fill out the form below. If you have questions, please contact Brian Cox at briancox@gogreencastle.com or Jon Strube at jstrube@greencastle.k12.in.us. Any men interested in volunteering would need to have a current background check on file. Please request a background check form from the TZ office or you may go to printable forms on the TZ webpage to print your own form.