Community Service
Lower School Community Service revolves around long-term relationships forged with Martha's Table, a center in Northwest Washington serving the needs of homeless and low income families, and Brightwood Elementary School, a public school, also in Northwest D.C. with whom we established a collaborative partnership several years ago. Designed to introduce young children to the needs of others in a safe and non-threatening manner and to encourage "habits of involvement," teachers work hard to integrate service work into the school week and parents contribute their time to help model effective community service and support the school's efforts. These programs are described below.
Martha's Table - at the beginning of the school year, an assembly is dedicated to Martha's Table, when representatives come to talk to the children about hunger, homelessness and the work that Martha's Table and McKenna's Wagon does to alleviate these problems in Washington D.C. They explain how participating in soup-making is an important contribution to their work.
Each Wednesday, children bring a vegetable from home as their contribution to the makings of a 50 lb. pot of soup. Classes take turns collecting and cutting the vegetables, which are then delivered to Martha's Table by a parent volunteer. The children are reminded to bring their Wednesday vegetable by painting a magnetic tile to take home to place on their refrigerators.
Every third Saturday during the school year, families are encouraged to go to Martha's Table to help prepare food for homeless people. Different classes are scheduled to work on assigned Saturdays, but students are encouraged to go whenever possible. Lower School families also participate in the Martha's Table holiday gift drive. The school is also responsive to special needs requests, such as school supplies and warm clothing for the Children's Center.
Brightwood Elementary School Partnership - Lower School has established a relationship with Brightwood Elementary School, a public school in Northwest Washington. Over 20 Lower School parents serve as lap readers, visiting the school weekly to provide one-on-one reading with children in eight classrooms, pre-k through first grade. These parents are encouraged to bring their children to share in the reading at least once per semester, with teacher approval. Early in the year, a Brightwood Book Buddy Drive is held, and children are encouraged to choose and bring in a special book for a child at Brightwood.
Teachers from Brightwood and Sidwell join their classes four to six times per year. They work together on community service activities, art and gardening projects, and other activities designed by participating teachers. Brightwood has traditionally participated in Garden Work Day at Sidwell.
Lower School students also visit Waverly House, a neighborhood senior citizen center, for shared music, arts and crafts, lunch and conversation. Classes also made an arts quilt, signifying the Sidwell and Brightwood partnership. Finally Safeway and Giant receipts are collected during the year, and contributed to Brightwood. The combined purchase totals have allowed Brightwood to qualify for much needed reading, technology and science hardware and software. Sidwell's receipt contribution has surpassed $150,000 in years past.
