Marin

Service Learning

Service learning is the glue that connects the realities of the outside world with classroom learning at our school. We give our students the tools and empathy necessary for life-long civic engagement, and root our service program in the richness of the Jewish concept of tikkun olam - repairing the world. Brandeis students learn to connect their Jewish identity to active service in their community and the world at large.

Through this innovative program, students develop projects that both support communities and connect to our academic curriculum, absorbing the lesson that to learn is to serve, and to serve is to learn.

Service Learning in Action

We teach, foster and support integrity, kindness and service in all our classrooms and activities, and specifically through initiatives such as:

Middle School Service Elective — a group of 6th, 7th and 8th graders who meet for two hours each week to volunteer at a senior home, reflect through writing about their service, learn about Jewish service through the SPARK (Jewish Funds for Justice) curriculum, and serve as the writing and editing board for the Service Writers publication. They also assist with school-wide service events.
Green School Initiative — Students play an active role across grade levels in identifying ways to increase composting and recycling education and participation, reduce energy use and make meaningful progress on the school garden. Leadership comes from the lower school and middle school student community board.
School Helpers - Middle school peer tutors are trained to assist other BHDS students in a variety of subjects during study hall and after school. Aftercare volunteers are trained by the athletic department as Sports Leaders to score BHDS sports games. Eighth grade students help in lower school classrooms as Peer Helpers twice a week.
Purim Tzedakah Project — K-8 students participate in tzedakah, or righteous giving, to local organizations and pressing causes during Purim through our own shook marketplace. Students bring in toys, games and other things from home to be sold at the shook to raise money for each class to make give tzedakah to an organization connected to what they are studying in school. Students also have the opportunity to purchase items from the shook to donate in the form of Mishloach Manot, gifts to be given to the Parca, a Bay Area organization that serves people with developmental disabilities.
Student Community Board Leadership — Student community board representatives in the lower school and middle school lead the implementation of projects and education for school-wide service initiatives, education and greening the school.
Student Writing Contests — Examples include writing a poem inspired by the Presidential inauguration that allows students to experience how poetry can be both personal and political, and a photo essay contest in which students identify a problem they’ve noticed and describe a solution. Winners are awarded gift certificates to KidsGiving2Kids, a philanthropic website designed for kids, and have their work published on the school website.
Connection with Partnering Schools in Israel — students communicate about social justice and environmental issues and projects with students at Hagome and Eynot Yarden schools through visits, mail, video and over the web.

Service Learning News

Third Grade Explores Issue of Homelessness, Donate Lunch

Posted May 1, 2013

As part of their classwork, our third grade students created a list of things in their community that they would like to change - and the most important one to them was homelessness. "We've had a lot of discussions about the challenges of homelessness and what we can do to help - and we also researched organizations that specifically work to alleviate the issue," said third grade teacher, Cherise Sorenson. As a result, a representative from Homeward Bound, visited BHDS recently to answer questions. Students "doubled up" on their usual lunch and donated one lunch - with personal notes and decorations - to the families living at Homeward Bound...
BHDS Brings Hanukkah Spirit and Songs to Seniors

Posted December 13, 2012

Our kindergarten and first grades brought Hanukkah spirit and songs to the senior residents of Drake Terrace. "Through these visits, our students learn the value of respecting their elders, connecting with other members of the community and being proud of their heritage," said teacher Angeline Greenblatt. Or, as put by one of our students, “it makes you happy when you make other people happy."

SEE PHOTOS
No One Lunch Eats Alone at BHDS

Posted December 13, 2012

Our middle students kicked off a new initiative, titled No One Eats Alone, aimed at helping our middle school students overcome social isolation as well as teach their peers strategies to promote inclusion and acceptance. "The goal is to form ongoing strategies that promote the positive social environment at BHDS, and that will carry forward into the future," said Steve Bileca, head of middle school.
BHDS Delivers School Supplies

Posted December 6, 2012

Our first school supplies drive was a big success! The supplies collected, along with Congregation Rodef Sholom, were hand-delivered by our students to the Venetia Valley School, a K-8 school across the street from BHDS. Led by teacher Ximena Bervejillo, students from the Tikkun Olam Elective visited Venetia Valley’s family center and learned about the different needs and services offered in their community.
BHDS Computer Donation Helps Students in Sierra Leone

Posted November 28, 2012

At BHDS, we are fortunate to have access to the latest technology...but when we move on to newer computers, our older ones moved to Africa. "Thanks to our donation, students at Ansarul School in Freetown, Sierra Leone, now have the opportunity to learn to use computers for their education," said technology teacher Fredda Kaplan, who arranged for the transfer...
BHDS Student Helps U.S. Troops

Aly Geller, BHDS Parent

Posted November 8, 2012

Thank you from Rudy Lee for donating so much candy to soldiers who are far from home. Blue Star Moms of Marin will send the candy to troops in Afgahnistan.
First Grade Repairs the World One Book At a Time

Posted September 27, 2012

Our first grade class is learning about acts of kindness and service beyond our immediate school community, reading and donating books through the organization We Give Books.
Food Donation to the Marin Food Bank in Honor of Shavuot

Posted May 24, 2012

In honor of the holiday of Shavuot, we too recognized the bounty of our land, gave thanks and brought offerings this week. Each student brought fresh fruit and vegetables to donate to the Marin Food Bank to serve the hungry in our community.
BHDS Students Raise Funds for Marin Non-Profits Via Human Race

Posted May 16, 2012

BHDS students Samatha(K) and Ella Katz(3) took part in the Marin County Human Race last weekend, a collaborative 5K run, walk or roll event that raises funds for different non-profit orgaizations in Marin. The girls raised $1,226.63 in support of the Marin Child Care Council. Way to go!
First Grade Steps Up to Restoring an Endangered Habitat

Posted May 9, 2012

Our first grade students helped restore the habitat of the Sonoma Bayland by planting natural species for animals. Through this restoration project, our first graders reinforced classroom learning about endangered species and diminishing habitats, and lived the Jewish concept of “tikkun olam” or repairing the world. "This project coincides with our preparation to lead our all-school t'fillah (service) later this month, when our students will receive their siddurim (prayerbooks) for the first time, taking a step toward increased responsibility and awareness of the world," said teacher Angeline Greenblat. SEE PHOTOS