I am the mother of a 5 and 7 year old. I am a conscientious parent so I am beginning to think about how to teach my children about “community service.” I want my kids to be justice oriented, aware and appreciative of differences, and immersed in the joy of giving. Being Jewish, I want to teach them the mitzvot and help them become active and generous community members, engaged in “repairing the world.”

I know that parents are the most important teachers, whether we like it or not, so it’s on me to pass these values along. But, I will be honest, I bristle at the notion of making up a community service project and “doing it,” rather than living as someone who serves my community.  What I really want to teach my children  is to become people who see being of service as part of their daily lives.   Recently, a neighbor’s experience crystallized things for me. . . (more…)

As a tutoring company, we at Partners With Parents notice trends in educational circles, and these days one is at the forefront of our minds: the rise of the community service component in graduation requirements for New York City schools.  Living in today’s world requires all of us to be forward-thinking in our relationship to materials, energy, and our fellow man, before we have done our surroundings, and ourselves, irreparable harm.  As parents and educators, we now have a clear recognition that we must teach our children to be conscientious global citizens who are committed to social responsibility and serving the public good.  (more…)