Grade 5 Role Models: Big Buddies at Shore
Grade 5 is an exciting and pivotal year for Shore students, as they are encouraged to take ownership of their learning and given more opportunities for leadership as they begin preparing for their transition into the Upper School. Shore’s curriculum is strategically and creatively aligned to prepare students for this transition in a variety of ways, and one of the highlights of the Grade 5 curriculum is the Big Buddies program.
This program begins with an opportunity for Grade 5 students to play on the playground with Shore’s Pre-K and Kindergarten classes, and from that first interaction, they are then paired up together one-on-one for the entire school year. Throughout the year, the Big Buddies will have all sorts of adventures with their younger buddies, from everyday moments like helping with homework, sitting together at Morning Meeting, and playing together at recess, to unique events such as walking the Oval together during the Halloween Parade, and traveling to Russell Orchards together for a morning of apple picking, which is always a favorite fall activity!
Watching the mutual relationships between the Buddies grow is heartwarming, and it’s easy to see how meaningful the experience is to both the older and younger students. For Pre-K and Kindergarten, it’s not just about knowing an older student, it’s a familiar face on campus and a role model who they can trust, which is a powerful ally to have for someone so young. For Grade 5, the opportunity to be a role model is incredibly impactful, and students often develop a deep connection with their younger buddies. “My little buddy is really cute, and she always wants to play with me during recess! Playing with her makes me really happy.” said Grade 5 student Pearl W.
“My little buddy and I do all sorts of activities together, and she likes to climb a lot! We play hide and seek—they call the brown house on the playground the ‘jail,’ and sometimes all of the little kids run away all at once and we call it a ‘Jailbreak!” said Kayvan T., laughing as he recounted different memories they shared. “My little buddy is so cute, and we both love to draw, so we usually sit at a table in the Kindergarten room and make art together.” added Reeth B.
The connections fostered between our Big Buddies and their Pre-K and Kindergarten friends speak for themselves.. Eyes light up as our students tell the stories of the time they’ve spent together with their Buddies, and it’s common to hear Shore alumni reflect decades later on how memorable it was to have a Big Buddy, and to be a Big Buddy. This beloved tradition serves as a meaningful experience and stepping stone in a Shore student’s development of their leadership capabilities. As trusted role models in Grade 5, they are well on their way to becoming the well-rounded and experienced leaders Shore students are known to be.
Shore Country Day School’s mission is to provide an education that inspires a love of learning and encourages children to embrace academic challenge. We seek to build character, cultivate creativity, and value diversity as we help our children become healthy, compassionate citizens of the world.
The School admits qualified students of any race, color, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, sex, religion, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, disability, or any other status protected by applicable law, and extends to them all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the School. The School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, sex, religion, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, disability, or any other status protected by applicable law in the administration of its admissions, scholarships, and loans, and its educational, athletic, and other programs.