Crim Principal and Teachers Explain “Peer Buddy Program.”

Crim Principal, Mrs. Kerr, and Physical Education Teacher, Mr. Staudt

Tuesday evening, at the Bridgewater-Raritan Board of Education meeting in the conference room at the Wade Administration Building, the main topic seemed to be the passage of the district’s $129.5 million budget. 

There were no surprises, however, as that subject had pretty much been discussed and beaten down in prior meetings dating back to January.  The first round of the preliminary budget was first ready for presentation in December, 2010, even though it did not go before the public at that time.

Thus, the final budget version and the unanimous vote of approval by the Board on Tuesday, March 22, though not humdrum, was not unanticipated – that’s probably why a relatively small gathering of the public was present, and why nobody there came to the lectern to query the Board.

What I thought was the highlight of that meeting was a presentation by Mrs. Kerr, Principal of the Crim Elementary School, and two teachers, Mr. Staudt, a physical education teacher, and Mr. Nivison, a physical therapist.

Physical Therapist Teacher, Mr. Nivison, at the Lectern.

The focus of their presence that evening was a presentation and discussion concerning the Crim School’s ‘Peer Buddy Program.’

That endeavor is an effort to match up developmentally disabled kids with ‘buddies’ – think of the ‘buddies’ as young mentors of other kids within their own age group.  It’s part of a plan to encourage and to motivate challenged school children to improve their social and physical skills.

Mrs. Kerr presented and discussed a short video which showed the children in action.  She was followed by Messrs. Staudt and Nivison who took turns at the lectern to further discuss the ‘Peer Buddy Program’ and to take questions from the B-R BOE.

It could easily have been an unnoticed and unreported event, but I thought that you might like to know how this particular segment of the school population is being helped.

Blogger’s Note:  Unfortunately, I lost my copy of the agenda upon which I had made notes about the ‘Buddy Program.’  I wrote this post from memory – hope I got it right!  If anyone with more familiarity with this program wishes to explain or to elaborate further, you are invited to jot down your thoughts via comments below this post.