A group of fifth graders wants to make sure that each child in need gets a friend indeed. Amy Cuenca is a music teacher at JCPS’ Bowen Elementary School, oversees the Bright Bees Project. Students conceived of the project, named after Bowen’s mascot, and create video resources attached to stuffed animals through a QR code to give to kids in crisis.

Cuenca spoke with me about how the project aims to have first responders give the stuffies to children to comfort them.

This conversation has been edited for length and clarity.

Michelle Tyrene Johnson: You’re in charge of the Bright Bees Project. Tell us a little about it.

Amy Cuenca: It started last year with a group of fifth graders who wanted to make a difference in the community. So, they decided to start the Bright Bees Project, which

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