eters Township
PETERS TOWNSHIP SCHOOL DISTRICT NEWS
BEST BUDDIES IN PETERS TOWNSHIP
If you ever has a best friend, you know how important that person is in your life. You share laughs, you have the same interests, your best friend is there to help when you need it. But making these important personal connections is not always easy for all children.
In Peters Township School District, the Best Buddies programs at the High School and Middle School are designed to help students with intellectual and development disabilities make those one-on-one friendships that can often be a challenge for a child with special needs.
As local chapters of the national organization, Peters Township’ s Best Buddies clubs include 42 students at the High School and 24 students at Peters Township Middle School. These numbers include the students with disabilities, their“ peer buddies” who are paired oneon-one, as well as“ associate buddies” who are not paired, but take part in many of the group events.
“ Students with disabilities can often face challenges in making those personal connections with friends,” said Patricia Kelly, Director of Pupil Personnel for the District who oversees both special education and gifted education services.“ Through programs like these, we can help students make those connections.”
Started originally in 2016 in the Middle School, the program was renewed this year as teacher Sandra Yakubic joined the staff as a special education teacher. Along with teacher Emily Bergman in the role of teacher sponsor, they began the process of finding the peer buddies last fall.
In an email to all staff, they requested recommendations for students who would best fit the role – those who exhibit kindness, patience, maturity and responsibility. Students also had the opportunity to volunteer for the program on their own. As the year progressed, the group was formed and events were
72 PETERS TOWNSHIP added to the schedule. In some cases, the meetings were more organized, like when the students made Valentines for local veterans. Other meetings were simply times for the students to meet and play board games or go to the gym to play more sport-oriented games.
During their study lab times at the end of the school day, the students and their peer buddies often find their way to Mrs. Yakubic’ s room.
“ Sometimes the peers help the kids with homework, other times they play cards or just talk,” said Yakubic.“ That’ s the most rewarding to see – how often they come in on their own. They are really forming genuine friendships.” She added that many of them spend time together outside of school as well, going to the movies, Flight Trampoline Park or just getting together for pizza.
High School parent Karen Ferrieri shared that involvement in Best Buddies has made a big difference in her son, Ross.
Ferrieri credits senior Jamie Oswald, who is president of the High School Chapter, with taking the initiative to plan a lot of fun in-school and out-of-school activities for the group. Ross and his Buddy Emily Kalinoski have been paired since Middle School and have taken part in several of the group’ s activities.“ The students involved with Best Buddies are a great group of compassionate individuals that have always made Ross feel comfortable and welcome,” said Ferrieri.“ We saw such a change in him this year because of all of the activities and outings that enabled him to really feel part of a group.
High School Special Education Teacher Laura Donohoe shared that Best Buddies has opened the door to friendships that otherwise might not occur organically for her students.“ It has really helped so many students,” she said.
But the benefits of the group are felt by all of the students involved, not just the students with special needs.
Jackie Malley, mother of 7th grader Austin Malley who is a peer buddy, shared that she has seen an increased maturity in her son through his work in the program. He has even changed his future plans. While he once wanted to be a meteorologist, he would now like to work with students with special needs.
Austin added that he has even brought his buddy into his larger circle of friends.“ We sit together with all of my friends at lunch and I see my other friends give him a high-five when they see him in the hall,” he said.
As the events have taken the place, more and more students have become aware of the program and are showing their support. At the middle school, many students and staff came out to support fundraisers for the Best Buddies Friendship Walk that took place in April at Highmark Stadium in the South Side. Ms. Bergman organized a Nitroball Tournament for the students to compete hoping to boost their fundraising efforts.“ Since this was our first time, we set our goal at $ 500,” said Bergman.“ Between the tournament and the generosity of the staff and families who supported us, we raised more than $ 3,000. We were blown away.”
“ This program is providing opportunities for all students – with or without disabilities,” adds Yakubic.“ It all starts with compassion and looking past our differences. You never know who you are going to meet that could end up being your friend.”
Middle school best buddies organize an activity.