“Special Friends” is a one-to-one play activity program for children in grades K-3 who display mild to moderate at risk behaviors of school adjustment issues. Run by social workers in the district, Special Friends is available for every K-3 elementary child and is provided throughout each school day in an individual pull out setting. During this time, students are paired with an adult and they meet in the playroom to address specified individual goals. The individual attention gives many children an extra boost in making the adjustment to the school experience. Parent conferences with the social worker and Special Friends are an important part of this program. Every fall, the North Tonawanda City School District conducts a screening to identify students who would benefit from this program, but parents and guardians can refer children as well. Participation in this program has proven to help build self esteem, promote socialization skills, and relieve school related anxiety.
