Rashi Middle School students had a rewarding and productive day of service outside of Rashi’s campus. With each grade departing for a different service location, their destinations provided important opportunities for our students to learn from experts in their fields, and to serve the organizations where those experts work. By the end of the day, students and staff returned to class with newfound knowledge and hands-on experience.
Grade 6 focused on ocean conservancy in partnership with the Ocean Blue Project (one of this year’s Tamchui honorees). Students took a trip to Wollaston Beach in Quincy to clean litter up from the sand. By the end of the day, 6th graders had collected over 30 pounds of garbage from the beach, leaving the area healthier for both visitors and wildlife.
Grade 7 learned about basic needs and food insecurity, facilitated by a representative from Hope and Comfort. Students made a shopping trip to local stores to gather supplies for Hope & Comfort and the Dedham Food Pantry, followed by a visit to those sites to drop off donations. Students were also encouraged to contribute funds of their own.
Grade 8 spent the day learning about refugees in the United States. They traveled to Providence, RI to the Refugee Dream Center for first-hand accounts of the refugee experience. Students heard from Dream Center clients with a variety of backgrounds about arriving in the United States, adjusting to new homes and lifestyles, and how people may volunteer to help aid those seeking asylum.
These projects were just one small piece of Rashi’s work in Tikkun Olam, repairing the world, and the social justice education our students receive throughout their entire Rashi careers.