FORT MCMURRAY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Dave McNeilly Public School Unveils "Buddy Benches" to Promote Kindness and Inclusion

On October 14, Dave McNeilly Public School officially unveiled two new outdoor "Buddy Benches," a student-led initiative designed to foster friendship, inclusion, and a welcoming community on the school playground.

The official ribbon-cutting ceremony took place outside the school, featuring the Grade 6 students who spearheaded the project alongside representatives from the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo.

This special unveiling served as the kickoff for the highly anticipated "Dave McNeilly's Got Leadership" showcase. The annual, school-wide event operates much like a pitch competition for community and school improvement. During the assembly, students in Grades 4 through 6 pitched their leadership project proposals for the academic year to a panel of judges, while students in Grades 1 through 3 proudly shared their project ideas. All proposals were celebrated and approved, empowering students to bring their visions to life.

The Buddy Benches are the successful realization of a pitch made during last year's event by students in the Grade 5 Keeping class. Recognizing a need for better playground inclusion, the students spent the past year advocating and fundraising for the project.

"Last year, students in the Grade 5 Keeping class at Dave McNeilly Public School led a project to promote kindness, inclusion and belonging on the playground," said Vice Principal Heather Redfurn. "A buddy bench provides a place for students to sit when they would welcome someone to play with. It encourages other students to reach out, offer friendship and invite them to join an activity."

To make the bench a reality, the students introduced the project to classes throughout the school, explaining its purpose and how to use it. They organized a bracelet sale, presented to the parent fundraising society, and held a theme week to raise funds for the purchase.

Their hard work caught the attention of the broader community. Thanks to the students' dedicated fundraising efforts, supported by a generous donation from Parent Volunteer Carla Scholz through IG Wealth Management, the school was able to purchase not one, but two Buddy Benches for the playground.

"The project reflects Dave McNeilly's commitment to student leadership through Leader in Me," Redfurn added. "By identifying a need, sharing their vision and working together, students created a lasting addition to the playground that encourages everyone to help build a welcoming school community."