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Lunch Buddies

New "Lunch Buddies" Program at Hillside Quickly Makes a Positive Impact

September 28, 2023

Written By: Jackie Saviano, District-wide Communications Associate

Fourth graders holding certificates for their participation last week. L to R (Front): Liam Wallace, Archie Baxendale, Sydney Bruney, Anya Patel, Nora Hurd, Layla Mathews, Charlotte Janofsky, Esme Spaeth. L to R (Back): Sonny Spagna, Brooke Donahue, Andrew Weiss, Parker Barowsky, Grayson Chiu, Jackson Wyatt.

Sixty-one fourth graders (that's 50% of the cohort!) volunteered to participate in a new program at Hillside Elementary School called "Lunch Buddies". 

The program, envisioned by Hillside's kindergarten teachers, with leadership from Assistant Principal Michael LaRocco, is designed to support kindergarteners with their new lunch routines and empower the school's oldest learners to be role models.

"The kindergarten teachers and I partnered together to craft a job description for interested fourth graders," said LaRocco. "From there, I began recruiting students."

Since its launch last week, staff members have seen the fourth grade volunteers:

  • model how to carry a (level) lunch tray to a table
  • assist with passing out utensils, condiments, and napkins
  • open milk cartons, thermoses, and Tupperware for kindergarten students
  • hand out lunch tickets and read orders aloud 
  • make friendly conversation with younger students

Kindergartners are already reaping the benefits of the new program. According to their teachers, students are:

  • building relationships 
  • learning how to advocate for themselves 
  • modeling the teachings of their fourth grade mentors

Each week a new group of lunch buddies will be assigned to the kindergarten class. 

"We look forward to seeing this program continue to blossom in the coming weeks!" LaRocco said.

L to R: Grayson Chiu (Ms. Peisel & Ms. Oliva's class) helping with the tray and Parker Barowsky (Ms. Samuel's class) helping open a packet of ketchup.

Sydney Bruney (Ms. Lane's class) helping with utensils.