Here at Apollo, third grade classes are paired with a kindergarten buddy class to help build a sense of community and mentorship. Each third grader is matched with a kindergartener, and together they participate in a variety of activities throughout the year. They might read books together, complete art projects, or even celebrate special events side by side. This partnership gives the older students a sense of responsibility and pride as they model good behavior, kindness, and patience for their younger buddies.
For the kindergartners, having a “big kid” friend makes school feel a little less overwhelming and a lot more exciting. They love the special attention and encouragement from someone older who isn’t a teacher or a parent. For the third graders, it’s a fun and meaningful experience to be a leader and helper, while also building strong, positive memories. Buddy classes create friendships across grade levels and help make the school feel like a warm, welcoming family for everyone involved!
Recently Ms. Bay (3rd grade) and Ms. Mater’s (Kindergarten) class visited Exploration Place together!
