At The Marylhurst School, learning extends beyond the classroom. We want students to understand not only the world around them, but also the role they can play in making it better.
From November 9–13, our Ravens (4th and 5th graders) are organizing a food and essentials drive to support two local organizations: Gleaners of Clackamas County in Oregon City and Ronald McDonald House in Portland. Through this effort, students are helping provide food and everyday necessities to community members experiencing hardship and families caring for children with serious medical needs.
Putting Our Habits of Mind and Body into Practice
Community service is a meaningful extension of the learning that happens every day at Marylhurst. Our curriculum encourages students to ask questions, consider different perspectives, work collaboratively, and take responsibility for their contributions to the world around them.
The Ravens Food Drive offers an opportunity to put several of our Habits of Mind and Body into action:
Empathy & Collaboration: Recognizing that others may face challenges different from our own and working together to provide meaningful support.
Problem Solving & Perseverance: Considering how to turn a shared intention into action, from communicating the need for donations to helping organize a successful collection.
Reflective Thinking: Exploring how individual choices affect others and why even small contributions can have a meaningful impact.
These experiences help students develop an understanding of community needs. They build the confidence to recognize a problem, consider how they can contribute, and take action alongside others.
Learning That Makes a Difference
One of the outcomes we value most at Marylhurst is helping students recognize that their ideas, choices, and actions matter.
When children have opportunities to contribute to something larger than themselves, they begin to see what it means to be an engaged and caring member of a community. They learn that making a difference begins with noticing a need, working together, and choosing to help.
As the Ravens shared in their announcement:
"Thank you for caring for our community and making a difference in someone's life. Small things can make a big difference!"
We're grateful to our Ravens for encouraging our school community to give back, and to the families who will help make their food drive a success.
How Our Community Can Help
The Ravens are inviting all Marylhurst families to participate by donating any of the following items:
Food and beverages
Peanut butter
Canned beans
Canned stew or soup
Canned vegetables and fruit
Juice or Capri Sun
Bottled water
Cereal
Snack packs
Boxed macaroni and cheese
Ramen
Personal care essentials
Soap and hygiene products
Toothbrushes and toothpaste
Donations will be collected November 9–13. Families may drop off items during morning drop-off or place them in the white collection box outside the main office at any time.
