The BJ/Ralph Bunche School Partnership
Jacob awoke from his sleep and said, "Surely the Lord is present in this place, and I did not know it!"
(Genesis 28:16)
Rory Butler (Literacy) or Ilene Richman (Math) at rbspartnership@bj.org or call (212) 787-7600 x301.
Goal/Mission/Objectives:
The BJ/Ralph Bunche School Partnership supports children in the Ralph Bunche School, P.S. 125, in their quest for academic excellence. Essential to the ongoing success of the program are the warm relationships that develop between the children and their partners. Some 30 BJ volunteers visit the school weekly, working one-on-one with children to support classroom instruction in reading, writing, and mathematics. Literacy Partners work one-on-one with children in Grades 1-3. Math Partners work with Grade 4 classes either to review class lessons or math fundamentals. While no advanced math skills are required, math volunteers need to be comfortable working with numbers.
Join our friendly and warm volunteer teams:
Volunteer shifts available:
The Literacy Partners program meets at the school on Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 8:30 - 10:30 AM.
Mathematics program: volunteers meet at the school on Thursdays from 12 noon to 1 PM.
People who can come occasionally as subs are also welcome to volunteer.
OUR STORIES
"Each Tuesday I go to the Ralph Bunche School with a feeling of uncertainty as to what the program will be for the day, but the moment I enter the class and I see the excitement of the kids and how they greet me, I know why I go there every week."
--Victor Brener
"I am constantly struck by the way the students relate the fiction we read or write about to their own life experiences. With non-fiction, the books spark discussions about the subject matter. After a workshop session, the students are eager to share the results of their work with the rest of the class. The whole experience is wonderfully gratifying."
--Rory Butler
"I was observing a little boy who was not following the teacher's directions. His partner approached the child. There were flashes of pride, support, delight, and encouragement in the man's face. The boy immediately sat up taller and he too had those same expressions on his face. A warm interlude for a cold day in February."
--Eleanor Greenfield
Additional Information
Special Events: The December 2006 Holiday Book Drive, chaired by Danae Yarnell, was a great success thanks to BJ congregants and friends who donated over 500 books to the Ralph Bunche School classroom libraries. Here are some excerpts from children's thank you notes:
"Thank you so much for the brand new books. I really appreciate it. I love to read."
- Sanaiqbal M.
"I'm so glad you sent new Roald Dahl books. They are our favorite books. If you want a child in our class to read, all you have to do is pull out a Ronald Dahl book."
- Danielle B.