Best Buddies a success in BASD elementary schools
Emily Brittain Elementary School recently started a chapter of Best Buddies International, which is a national organization that pairs children with learning disabilities with children without learning disabilities together to build friendships and acceptance.
Karla McEachin, the Best Buddies coordinator at Emily Brittain Elementary, said the program at the elementary level differs from that of higher grade levels. Instead of pairing two students together as “Best Buddies,” everyone gets together in one group.
“BB at the elementary level is more about acceptance and understanding of differences,” McEachin said. “It is exposing all students to differences and helping them to understand that each person can bring something to the table that is valuable.”
Butler Area School District has a Best Buddies chapter for each grade level up to the senior high school. Emily Brittain has 18 members in total in its first class of buddies, and McEachin said the group will find time within the school day to have meetings.
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