Buddy Morning is a great opportunity for both community supporters and students. Twice a year, community partners, donors, supporters and volunteers spend one-on-one time with a student and experience what makes our school so special. These buddies participate in a learning activity together and are given a tour of the school by their student buddy!
City Academy hosted the 18th Bi-Annual Buddy Morning on October 28, 2015, which attracted 101 individuals form the community. Each attendee was paired with a scholar and had the opportunity to build a relationship through educational activities. Second grade buddies participated in the Marshmallow Challenge- buddies had to work together to build a tower out of dried pasta, marshmallows, and tape. A set amount of each item was provided, and the buddies with the tallest tower won the challenge. This activity is similar to STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, math) activities that students participate in weekly.
Buddies building a STEAM tower
Buddy Morning attendees are both individual supporters and community partners of City Academy. Many attend because they are able to see first-hand the exceptional education and community transformation that is taking place at City Academy. In fact, many individuals attend so often that they are called Super Buddies! These Super Buddies have attended at least five Buddy Mornings, and many are paired with the same student buddy each time.
One Super Buddy is Paul Dribin, President of the Optimist Club of St. Louis. Paul has attended eight Buddy Mornings and plans on returning to the event each semester! “Buddy Morning is one of the happiest days of the year for me,” says Paul. “I enjoy spending time with my buddy and seeing what the students are learning in the classroom. City Academy is one of the organizations in our city which is truly making a difference.”
Paul Dribin (far left) with student buddy
Paul’s fourth grade buddy agrees. “I love Buddy Morning!” says the student. “I get to do an activity with my buddy and show him around this school. My favorite thing about Buddy Morning this year was introducing my buddy to my brother and sister who also go to City Academy. I had so much fun!”
Buddy Morning attendees from the Optimist Club of St. Louis
