What started out as a simple writing project turned into a great achievement for students at Seaford Harbor Elementary School. Their collective effort will benefit many future generations of students.
In the spring, second graders in Deirdre Baldassarre’s class wrote letters to the school administration seeking a buddy bench. On Dec. 11, it was officially dedicated during an afternoon ceremony. Now third graders, the students were joined by their former teacher, district administrators and parents.
Principal Jennifer Bisulca spoke of how the project came to the attention of her and Tara Savage, the school’s assistant principal. During a persuasive writing unit, the students decided they wanted to make a difference in their school, came up with the idea and took action.
“Last year, I had the privilege of visiting Baldassarre’s classroom to hear her students’ persuasive writing pieces on why the Harbor School should have a buddy bench,” Bisulca said. “Their arguments were thoughtful, compelling and filled with heart and it was clear their passion was a direct reflection of the guidance and inspiration they received from their teacher. From that moment, we knew this bench had to become a reality.”
The students, standing on the risers of the All-Purpose room, also took the audience through their journey from vision to completion.
“It was so amazing to see that our hard work paid off and our voices were heard,” Gibson Takseraas said.
The school partnered with the Harbor PTA, which provided financial support, to bring it to fruition. After the brief presentation, everyone went outside to see the new green “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” buddy bench, adjacent to the playground. Students stood behind the bench, joined by Baldassarre, who cut the ribbon and made it an official piece of the Harbor School.
Baldassarre is retiring at the end of December, and Bisulca said it was important to have the buddy bench installed and available for students to use before she officially ends her teaching tenure.
