Building Bridges Program Supports Understanding Through Fourth Grade Stuttering Presentation

Fourth grade students across the Rye City School District recently participated in a presentation focused on stuttering as part of the district’s broader Building Bridges initiative, a program designed to promote inclusion, understanding, and kindness among students. 

Building Bridges was developed collaboratively with district staff and the community to support inclusive practices in schools. The program’s core goal is to help students understand that everyone learns differently and that each individual is unique. Through age-appropriate presentations and conversations, Building Bridges encourages students to be kind, develop empathy, and learn how to be good friends with peers regardless of differences.  

As part of this work, all fourth grade students from the district’s three elementary schools took part in the stuttering presentation. The session was designed to build awareness, reduce misconceptions, and help students better understand the experiences of peers who may communicate differently.  

The stuttering presentation is one component of a larger, evolving Building Bridges framework that spans grade levels and continues into the middle school. Each year, the district expands the program to address different topics aligned with student development. Previous presentations have included Down syndrome in third grade, stuttering and ADHD or learning differences in fourth grade, and cerebral palsy in fifth grade. Looking ahead, the district plans to introduce a second grade presentation focused on autism.  

Depending on the topic and grade level, presentations are facilitated either by outside specialists or by district staff using their professional expertise. This flexible approach allows the program to draw on both community partnerships and in-house knowledge to best support students.  

Through Building Bridges, the Rye City School District remains committed to fostering a school environment where students feel seen, supported, and empowered to embrace differences with understanding and respect.