Love & Best Buddies
BUTLER TWP — Best Buddies member Madelyn Kuntz is a third-grader with a big heart.
“I learned that it’s fine if you are different, and it would be boring if we were all the same,” said Madelyn, who watched a video Friday at McQuistion Elementary School about a dog that communicates differently with other dogs.
The program to instill values of acceptance and love for all people was offered by the school’s chapter of Best Buddies, which started last year. Students with special needs are grouped with students in typical classes.
On Friday, the students learned through the video that some people may look or act differently than themselves, but those differences don’t really matter. Then they got to participate in a slew of activities like making Valentines and dog treats to donate to the Butler County Humane Society.
Amy Miller, Best Buddies coordinator at McQuistion, said the dozens of students signed up for Best Buddies have enjoyed the activities offered through the program. At their young age, many don’t fully comprehend differences in ability some children have from one another, according to Miller.
The district’s intermediate school and high school also have Best Buddies chapters, so students who stay with the program can further develop their comprehension as they grow. For now, it’s all about getting the children to know one another.
“Here we’re just encouraging familiarity to understand where everybody is coming from,” Miller said. “We’re trying to get the kids mixed in with each other and get them to know each other’s names to say ‘Hi’ in the halls.”
McQuisition principal Carrie Morgan-Davis said it was Miller’s idea to bring Best Buddies to the school, and she is supportive of it.
“I’m so excited to have the program to get the kids integrated,” said Morgan-Davis, who didn’t know the program was available for younger children. “Especially at this age, you have to construct those social situations so they can get them to know each other.”
During Friday afternoon’s activity, teachers and parents got the conversations started between children, first by passing around a balloon that meant the holder had to answer a question about themselves.
Miller said organizers are planning future activities for the buddies, including a bowling outing next month, and a bocce tournament that all grade levels can attend.
On Friday, the children were understanding the program’s lessons through the cooperative activities.
“I learned that differences matter and don’t judge people for their differences,” said Milania Devannoi, a third-grade student.
In Best Buddies programs for higher grade levels, special needs students are paired up with typical students in the group, and they plan activities and outings on their own. Miller said she hopes students continue with an inclusive ideology after their elementary years.
“We’re all still people, and you can have all kinds of friends,” said Isabella Millward, a third-grade student.
