Community Service

Here are a few highlights of how community service is a part of our curriculum:

• Bertschi has a longstanding partnership with the Rainier Valley Food Bank and each year our third graders volunteer during the school day 
• First graders partner with ElderFriends and build friendships through crafts and writing.
• As part of their study of local farms and markets, our second grade students run a vegetable and craft market on campus, then donate the proceeds to local non-profits like Pike Place Market Foundation or Nurturing Roots Farm.

Twice a year, our community comes together for Helping Hands Day, a dedicated time for kids and their families to engage in meaningful service projects that positively impact our local area. This initiative is a hallmark of our commitment to fostering compassionate and active community members.

Past activities have included:

• Forest restoration with the Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association, where students and families help preserve our local green spaces.
• Food bank support, providing much-needed assistance to local food banks through organized food drives and donations.
• Street cleanup, where our community rolls up its sleeves to beautify our neighborhoods and promote environmental stewardship.
• Supplies drive, collecting essential items for those in need.

Bertschi School is proud to be a part of the City of Seattle’s Adopt a Street program. Our community participates in this grassroots litter-removal initiative by cleaning up 10th Ave E at least four times per year. By taking an active role in this program, we contribute to the maintenance where we live, learn, and play. This effort reflects our commitment to environmental stewardship and the well-being of our community.

Throughout the year, classes participate in projects specially designed to nurture a spirit of kindness and service. These projects, such as our kindergarteners creating and delivering May Day flowers to our neighbors, not only spark creativity and joy, but also teach our youngest learners the importance of being good neighbors and citizens. Our students help us strengthen community ties and instill a lifelong commitment to making a positive impact on those around us.

Annual initiatives include:

• May Day flower baskets and halloween crafts delivered to our neighbors
• Organized marches 
• Writing letters to public officials in support of community advocacy

Impact Reduction Efforts

We are committed to being great neighbors. Our staff regularly communicates with our neighbors to help minimize the impact of traffic, parking, noise, and other concerns. Our staff volunteers to paint curbs around driveways to ensure everyone can get where they need to go and our neighborhood is well marked and maintained.