On Saturday afternoon (8.11.18), 34 new-to-Lakeland students and their families attended the PTO’s inaugural “Buddy Program.” The program is designed to match new students with existing students based on grade and gender at Lakeland Middle Preparatory School (LMPS).
Matched buddies will sit together at lunch for the first two weeks to help with transitioning to a new school. A total of 60 new students signed up to participate in the Buddy Program. Those who were unable to attend Saturday’s matchup will be introduced to their buddy on the first day of school tomorrow.
Existing students were identified and invited by LMPS guidance counselor Misty Manthe, who chose students from various leadership groups at the school.
During his opening remarks, Principal Matt Adler addressed new students and their families by saying, “Welcome to the greatest school system in the state of Tennessee. We are here to help you, to serve you, and to help your child be a lifelong learner, even beyond LMPS.”
Several elected representatives were on hand to meet and greet new families: Mayor Wyatt Bunker; BOC (Board of Commissioners) member Matt Wright; and LSS (Lakeland School System) school board members Geoff Hicks, Laura Harrison and Kelley Hale. Mrs. Hale, who is also a PTO board member, was responsible for proposing the Buddy Program idea to the PTO.
Superintendent Dr. Ted Horrell, who was also in attendance, said, “The Buddy Program is just another example of great things that happen when parents have ideas to benefit kids. The PTO understood how hard transitions can be for kids, especially in the critical middle school years. I look forward to watching it become another tradition at LMPS.”
To help get to know each other, buddies participated in a team-building Q&A session and various fun games. Existing students gave their new-student buddies a tour of the school to help them learn the building layout and find their homeroom and classes. Finally, new students were each treated to a candy-filled LMPS tumbler at the end of the two-hour event.
Link to Google album: https://photos.app.goo.gl/QfxTNhvpkXTDTf8x5
…“Story and photos by Kristin Hicks, LMPS PTO Board member
