Mayor dedicates buddy bench at Engjaskóli
Students at Engjaskóli in Grafarvogur had Mayor Heiða Björg Hilmisdóttir dedicate a buddy bench on the school grounds this morning.
Before Christmas, Engjaskóli students asked Reykjavík City for a bench on the school grounds that they planned to use as a buddy bench.
Students created a video that they sent to the City, asking for "one good and strong bench" from the City that they would call a buddy bench to foster friendship and combat loneliness at the school. Students who sit on the bench are signaling that they would like to play, and other students can then invite them to join in.
Engjaskóli is a UNICEF Rights Respecting School. The goal of Rights Respecting Schools is to foster a democratic environment by systematically developing the knowledge, skills, and attitudes that help children become critical, active, and capable participants in modern society, guided by the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. The buddy bench is part of the school's work as a Rights Respecting School.
The bench has been installed on the school grounds in a spot chosen by the students. Mayor Heiða Björg Hilmisdóttir visited Engjaskóli this morning and formally opened the bench with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Students, school administrators, and teachers warmly welcomed the mayor, saying the bench has already proven to be a great help during recess and ensures no one has to be lonely. The name "Buddy Bench" was chosen by students in a survey, and a plaque with the name will be placed on the bench.
Congratulations on the Buddy Bench, Engjaskóli!