School Life

Community Service

Service Builds Caring and Leadership

The Community Service program at The Benjamin School supports the School's mission by inspiring students to develop personal responsibility, concern for others and a commitment to serve society. The program also reinforces the School's character traits and strives to teach children how to apply knowledge and interactive skills that address important school and community needs. Students discover new interests and abilities, learn to work cooperatively and assume leadership roles, as they experience the value of caring and helping others. The entire Benjamin community of students, parents, alumni, faculty and staff work together to make a positive difference through a variety of community service efforts.

2019-2020 School-wide Community Service Initiative

Although our school community has already accomplished a huge school-wide initiative of providing much-needed relief to victims of Hurricane Dorian, we are now poised to announce our 2019-2020 school-wide community service project. Organizations within our community submit applications for these partnerships, and our selection is made by a committee through a carefully defined process. It is with a sense of excitement that I announce that this year Benjamin will be collaborating with Friends of Foster Children (FOFC) for our annual project.

The mission of Friends of Foster Children is to enrich the lives of those impacted by foster care.  The organization believes that it is never too late for any child to have a happy childhood. Their programming aims to provide enrichment activities for foster children to which they may not otherwise be exposed. 

FOFC wants every child to see that they are courageous, creative, and confident and that they have unlimited potential. It is interesting to see how closely this aligns with what The Benjamin School aspires to instill in its students. It is the hope of FOFC and The Benjamin School that this partnership will positively influence the lives of all of our children and students.

Previous school-wide projects have addressed issues in the areas of hunger, homelessness, health, education, and hurricane relief. These projects have been extremely successful and meaningful thanks to all of you. Concern for others and a commitment to serve society is included in the School’s mission statement and has always been an integral part of Benjamin’s caring culture.

As we begin this year’s annual partnership, I would like to highlight some of the plans for the year that are already being made. These always expand because of the creativity and generous spirit of the Benjamin community. It is our hope that all Benjamin constituents will find a special place to become involved. Included below are some of the many TBS-FOFC partnered initiatives being considered for this year:
  • High school students with FOFC and their families have been invited to attend  Benjamin’s Linda Twitchell College Fair.
  • Pumpkins from both Middle and Upper School advisory decorating contests will be donated to FOFC individual and group homes. The Upper School contest will have a book theme, and they will also be donating accompanying books.
  • Grade 3 will donate Halloween costumes collected during their annual costume drive.
  • Students from FOFC will be invited to both campuses to participate in various activities.
  • Ms. McAllister and her Middle School students will host a Fall Art event.
  • Non-perishable food from the annual Thanksgiving Food Drive November 4-20 will be donated to FOFC for their Blessings in a Basket distribution.
  • Toys and gifts from the annual Holiday Toy Drive December 4-12 will be given to FOFC to share with their children and teens. Benjamin students are asked to bring a gift appropriate for someone their own age, if possible.
  • Case managers and staff will be invited to attend Benjamin performances including the Variety Show and other productions.
  • Benjamin will conduct a collection of prom dresses/formal attire, as well as children’s clothing.
  • Students will participate in creating small gift bags for the children at FOFC to present to their case managers on Valentine’s Day to thank them for all they do.
  • Some foster families will be invited to attend the annual community event.
  • WOW students will focus on the school-wide event as part of their February 21 Trike-a-Thon.
  • TBS will collect carry-on luggage and duffle bags for children in foster care.
  • Students from FOFC will be invited to volunteer with Benjamin students at the Special Olympics in the spring.
This is a sampling of activities being planned. I hope something here piques your interest as we encourage all constituent groups to participate as we build upon our culture of giving. How better to achieve this important part of the School’s mission than to work together in partnership with Friends of Foster Children, as we continue to positively impact our community.
A premier PK3 - Grade 12 independent, coeducational day school with campuses in North Palm Beach and Palm Beach Gardens. Since 1960, The Benjamin School has provided a challenging college preparatory education to a diverse student body in a structured, nurturing community environment.
 
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Leslie Downs/Chief Operating Officer
Ph:  561.657.0075 or 561.747.0585