Best Buddies Home
What is Best Buddies/Club Description?
Riverside Brookfield High School Best Buddies program is a student-run friendship club with activities throughout the school year for students with and without disabilities. RBHS’s Best Buddies program is a chapter of the national Best Buddies organization, and both programs help foster an inclusive school climate and a community culture of acceptance. The clubs recognize friendship and differences among their members. Buddies participate in activities both in and out of school, including in school socials, dance/game nights, bowling, arcade, and so much more. RBHS’s Best Buddies Program is for all students.
How do students get to be in Best Buddies?
Each year, parents of buddies will receive an email and a call from the club sponsors to see if their child wants to participate. Students interested in being a peer buddy or associate buddy should listen to announcements and attend chapter meetings to sign up. They can also contact the club sponsors (Mrs. Rosenbusch or Mr. Vojcak) to gather more information.
Peer buddy commitment is the whole school year (although we hope longer) and needs to have an interview which is conducted in September. More information will be given during announcements and chapter meetings at the start of the year.
Membership in the programs lasts for one year, although we hope all members stay until the time of their graduation.
Levels of Commitment for Best Buddies Members
Any member may join at the level of commitment that feels comfortable. Choose from these options below:
1. Officer
Highest level of commitment. Officer positions are open to all sophomore, junior, and senior students.
- Sign-ups are available in April
- NO prior experience required
2. Peer Buddy
If selected as a Peer Buddy, you and your buddy pair will be expected to:
- Spend time together at least once per month outside of school
-
Keep in touch outside of school (such as through texting)
-
Spend time together during school when possible, including lunches and/or walking to classes
3. Event Buddy
Lowest level of commitment. Event Buddies attend chapter events with any members or group.
All chapter members are expected to be positive role models at all times.
Meeting Times:
Chapter meetings are conducted once a month during all lunch periods. The schedule is posted on the StudentSquare Best Buddies page. Pay attention to student announcements and StudentSquare for dates or changes.
What can parents do?
You can support your child's new friendship by talking about it and asking questions. Consider making arrangements for the buddies to spend time together outside of school, and encourage your child to continue the friendship after his or her time in the program ends. Should parents have any concerns about current buddy pairs or would like more information on the program, please contact Mrs. Rosenbusch ([email protected]) or Mr. Vojcak ([email protected])
Questions?
Mrs. Rosenbusch ([email protected]) or Mr. Vojcak ([email protected])
President(s): Alyssa Petrucci and Ruby Boyle
Vice President(s): Isabel Rosa and Nicolette Ritacca
Peer Buddy Coordinators: Anastasia Hector and Walter Chase
Communication Officers: Jacob Zamora and Betsaida Arias-Ferreira
Secretary: Averie Gizewski
Exec. Board:
- Alonzo Villegas
- Olivia Escobedo
- Mikaela Hogue
- Edward Wolfe
- Nicholas Caputo
- Sofia Galindo
Sponsor(s):
McKenzie Rosenbusch
Ext: 2250 Email: [email protected]
Brad Vojcak
Social Media:
Instagram: @rbhs_bestbuddies
