New Buddy Bench for the Madrona K-8 Playground

Summary

Madrona K-8 is an Edmonds School District choice school.  It is different from the neighborhood schools because of the multiage classroom setup. Multiage learning encourages leadership and team learning.  Madrona Integrated Team (MIT) is our version of PTA.  Everyone is a member: Staff, parents, and students.  We collaborate to support our students to give them the best learning environment possible.

Madrona Mission

• Awakening Minds

• Nourishing Hearts

• Cultivating Community

“The world our children inherit, the opportunities they have, and the dreams they live, depend upon the education we provide them. Our vision becomes their reality. To ensure this vision, each child that walks through our doors must be given the same access to the best educational foundation our staff, parents, and community can offer. Madrona’s multi-age setting supports our mission to create a strong sense of belonging for all students and provides unique opportunities for continuous growth through the collaboration and development of relationships among the students, staff, and parents.”

What is a buddy bench?

The buddy bench is a simple idea to eliminate loneliness and foster friendship on the playground. The bench will help spread the message of inclusion and kindness. A bench is a safe place for students to signal to others that they need a friend to reach out to them.

Submission Criteria:

MIT is asking artists to submit up to three design ideas, incorporating specific themes targeted by MIT.  Materials can be reclaimed materials
 

Themes include:    

• Nature (i.e. mountains, rivers, forests, etc.)

• Area history/historic people    

• Weather (i.e. sunshine, clouds, raindrops, etc.)                              

• Wildlife (butterfly, deer, elk, fish, birds, etc.)

• Agriculture   

• Local culture (reading, dancing, music, etc.)