One of the core values at The Shlenker School is tikkun olam—the idea that we are God’s partners in repairing the world. Teachers in PreK-4 and each Elementary School grade level have developed hands-on, age-appropriate activities that help students learn about the many ways they can engage in the practice of tikkun olam. Examples of grade level projects include:
PreK-4 students, together with their fourth-grade buddies, "adopt” an Early Childhood Center in a low-income neighborhood. The children collect gently used clothing, shoes, school supplies, and toiletries for students at the Early Childhood Center. At the end of the collection drive, students and their families gather for a Tikkun Olam Dinner—an evening of mitzvot, where students decorate cards and package the items to be donated. PreK-4 students also donate toys for the holidays and establish a pen-pal relationship with students at the Early Childhood Center.
Kindergarten students participate in a recycling project with Crayon Collection. The students collect used crayons from their classrooms and homes and then send those crayons to Crayola, where they are recycled into new crayons. Students learn about the Jewish value of not wasting resources (ba’al tashchit) and learn to take care of our Earth.
First grade students make and donate blankets during Chesed or Kindness Week for for Project Linus, a non-profit organization that provides new handmade blankets to children in need.
Second grade students raise money by participating in a Read-a-thon. The money raised is used to make teddy bears at Build-A-Bear. These bears are then donated to the Houston Fire Department, where they are distributed to injured, sick, and frightened children who must ride in ambulances. The students place a heart inside each bear and say a blessing (bracha) for the bear’s recipient, wishing them a complete and speedy recovery (refuah shleimah).
Third grade students participate in a project with Service Dogs, Inc. The students kick off their project with a visit from a service dog and its owner. In order to understand how these canine companions help their owners, the students participate in a Mini Special Olympics, where they experience what it is like to live with disabilities. Third graders then host a Read-a-thon to raise funds, and the money is used to cover the cost of training a service dog.
Fourth grade students partner with their PreK-4 Buddies to make Thanksgiving food baskets for the students at the Early Childhood Center they have adopted. They then deliver the bags of supplies and toys and spend time reading to the students at the Early Childhood Center. They learn to take care of others who are less fortunate, and they serve as role models for their younger peers.
Fifth grade students visit Seven Acres Jewish Geriatric Center on a monthly basis. Before meeting residents, Shlenker students learn how people change as they age and learn how to effectively communicate with the elderly residents, respecting their dignity and wisdom. Students interact with the residents in a variety of ways including celebrating holidays, singing songs, playing games, and much more.
School-wide Giving
Each week, students in kindergarten through fifth grade bring coins to school to put in their classroom tzedakah boxes. The tzedakah boxes are emptied regularly and the Director of Integrated Jewish Learning works with the Student Senate to distribute the funds. In the past, funds have been distributed to Jewish Family Service, Plant A Tree with Jewish National Fund, and other local and national organizations. By giving tzedakah and performing various mitzvot throughout the year, students at Shlenker learn that repairing the world begins with a single act of kindness.