Upcoming Events:

• November 4th: Meeting @ 2:00

• December 13th: Reindeer games @ 2:00

Thank you to everyone who helped raise money for our Best Buddies program as well as Mrs. Ivory Brown at EMS for her Best Buddies Champion of the Year campaign by buying a Best Buddies t shirt. Money donated goes towards the overall Best Buddies program in GA. 

Please reach out to Misti Vandenhouten with any questions mvandenhouten@effingham.k12.ga.us

What is Best Buddies?

• Open to 4th-5th students or any student with an IEP

• The goal of Best Buddies is to create friendships between students with and without disabilities. 

• Students must be willing to interact and include students with disabilities throughout the school day, during meetings, and outside of school if possible.

• Meetings are held once a month from 2:00-2:45. You may have to miss recess or specials to attend meetings. 

• If you miss 2 meetings, the advisors will review your commitment to Best Buddies. 

“Best Buddies strives to provide inclusive and supportive communities for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. We aim to accomplish this through our 4 Pillars, including our One-To-One Friendship Program, Leadership Development Program, Jobs Program, and Inclusive Living Program. On a school level, we connect students with disabilities to students without disabilities, so they can form meaningful friendships and feel a welcomed presence at your school through fun group activities. We are proud to have Ebenezer as one of our 36 (and growing) K-through college school chapters we serve in Georgia. As of March 2023, Ebenezer has engaged 82 members and hosted seven inclusive events. Ebenezer has the most members of all elementary schools in Georgia combined, which is to be celebrated and commended!"

- Doug Peters with the Best Buddies Organization