Games for Growth: Promoting Social Connection During Lunch
Melanie Villa
ID-177
School Name:Immokalee High
Grant Request Grade:9-12
Grant Request Subject:Other
Additional Details
The goal of this project is to help students build connections and develop positive relationships with their peers. The "Next Move" club will provide a welcoming environment for students who are new to the school or who may not have many friends, giving them opportunities to meet new people and develop friendships.
Meaningful face-to-face connections have become less common as students increasingly rely on digital communication and social media. As a result, many students have fewer opportunities to build authentic friendships and develop a sense of belonging at school. This project will provides a welcoming space where students can interact in person, engage in collaborative games and activities, and form lasting peer relationships.
The program will begin with a core group of students who are interested in sharing a love of board games with their peers. The core group of students will be trained as hosts, to welcome any and all other students to participate in the games during lunch, in a club called "Next Move".
The board games will take place during lunch one day each week and emphasis will be placed on students meeting new friends and connecting with one another in an authentic way. Each quarter, we will have a lunch celebration, with special Ice Breaker games and offer a place where students can celebrate their personal and academic accomplishments.
As a school counselor, I have observed that many students eat lunch alone and struggle to form meaningful friendships. For students who are new to the school, shy, or experiencing social isolation, making connections with their peers can be especially challenging. Providing intentional opportunities for students to interact in a welcoming, low-pressure environment can help foster friendships, strengthen their sense of belonging, and improve their overall well-being.
The funding will help supply games for the students to play. It will also provide food for the students to eat at the quarterly lunch celebrations and some materials to purchase "minute to win-it" game materials for students (noted at "MTW" in the itemization section).
