Community Service
We Are One Human Family
Our aim is to make volunteering accessible and meaningful through community service days organized by the school, and also by providing opportunities for students and families to continue volunteering throughout the year. On community service days, the younger grades focus on activities on campus that serve our school community and local neighborhood, such as clean up and beautification projects at the Berkeley Marina and Aquatic Park, and the older grades, accompanied by teachers, travel off campus to organizations that can benefit from volunteer help. Examples include: Dorothy Day House, Glide Memorial Church, Alameda County Community Food Bank, Berkeley Humane Society, LifeLong Medical, and Friends of Five Creeks.
Community Matters
A group of BPC parent volunteers identify and lead service projects in the local community. They organize BPC’s annual Coastal Cleanup effort, coordinate meal delivery at a local homeless shelter, and manage the holiday gift drives for Harrison House residents and for the children who attend the Multicultural Institute’s MAS program.
Disaster Relief
Our school community also comes together in times of crisis to support international and local disaster relief efforts – such as the Sonoma County wildfire relief effort and the shelter fire fund at the East Bay Humane Society.
Seeds of Change
In 2018, BPC established a legacy program in honor of benefactor Mary Paci for her extraordinary support of BPC, using her example of service and philanthropy to inspire students and parents to seek and embrace opportunities to make a genuine difference at home, at school, and in their immediate communities.
Every year, on Paci Seeds of Change Day, BPC students and staff members will participate collectively in hand-on, school-sponsored community service projects selected for their direct, local impact.
Community Partnerships
We have long partnered with organizations that share our neighborhood, our values, and our commitment to making the world a better educated and more compassionate place. We currently partner with:
Harrison House is a West Berkeley shelter providing housing and services for homeless individuals and families. For many years, Black Pine Circle School families have helped organized festive events at the shelter and a holiday gift drive for the residents.
7th graders walk to the nearby Duck’s Nest preschool for games, art projects, imaginary play, and reading aloud.
“I love being reminded of myself when I was that age. There’s so much laughter and joy.”
Caroline, Grade 7
Each day after school, the Multicultural Institute uses our upper school campus for its Mentoring for Academic Success (MAS) program, which serves underrepresented students through after-school tutoring, academic guidance, and parent support.
8th grade students work in concert with the VIA Center staff to interact playfully and professionally with developmentally differently-abled VIA Center students. Activities include music, volleyball, and art projects.
