Friendship is a fundamental relationship, whether one is starting kindergarten or a graduating high school senior. Mrs. Penny Schneider and Mr. Jim DeSantis, along with their students, initiated a project in October to promote the value of friendship in the form of the Koda Bench.

Mr. DeSantis, a technology education teacher, and Mrs. Schneider, an art education teacher, approached Superintendent Mrs. Lucille Iconis regarding the project; the idea was then proposed to each of the elementary schools.

Mrs. Schneider assigned the project to her Drawing and Painting I and Ceramics classes, with the intent of submitting the best benches to the elementary schools. “Koda” is the Dakota Sioux- a Native American tribe- word for “friendship.” With this idea in mind, Mrs. Schneider’s students were challenged to create a design for a bench that emphasized the importance of friendship.

Inspiration for this project came from Mrs. Schneider’s niece. In Port Washington, “Buddy Benches” are the school’s way of attempting to facilitate a method for shy children to make new friends.

“I really thought the concept was fantastic, somewhere kids who wanted someone to play with at recess,” Mrs. Schneider said. “Something symbolizing friendship: a positive, fun and inviting spot on the playground.”

The receiving schools were chosen based upon which responded first, second, and third due to the limited allowance in the budget. East Lake, Lockhart, and Unqua are going to be the schools to receive the Koda Benches this year.

Mr. DeSantis’ classes worked extensively on making the art students’ “cardboard motifs” into something tangible that younger students could use to forge and fortify friendships.

After this, Mrs. Schneider’s Drawing and Painting I and Ceramics students painted and beautified the benches.

The project included a connection to the advanced technology that is now incorporated into the academic process on all grade and skill levels; in order to determine which designs won and which were going to be constructed and installed, the elementary students voted for their favorite designs via Haiku.

Mrs. Schneider wanted to improve upon the idea and make the benches works of art because in Port Washington, “the design was plain and sort of uninviting.”

In addition, Schneider believes that everyone involved gains a beneficial experience from the project.

“I think my students get just as much out of creating and giving of themselves as the recipients of our masterpieces,” Mrs. Schneider said.

It is far from the first time that Mr. DeSantis and Mrs. Schneider have cooperated to better the community.

In 2012, Mrs. Schneider’s Sculpture classes joined forces with Mr. DeSantis’ technology classes to create “The Story Box.”

The Story Box project was designed as an interactive structure that now lives in the lobby of Winthrop University Hospital on the pediatric floor. The purpose of this project was to brighten the spirits of the brave patients requiring long term treatment there.

Likewise, the Koda Benches will promote friendship in the community and equally brighten the spirits of children looking for a playground pal.

Between this project and the Story Box, it’s apparent that Mrs. Schneider and Mr. DeSantis are the high school’s newest charitable duo.