Many primary school students experience disconnects between lessons in the classrooms and real-life experiences. Lessons only focus on memorizing and getting good grades at exams, but not much about connecting with and contributing to society. BINUS SCHOOL Bekasi solves this problem by creating a community outreach program, designed to involve children in various impactful activities. Community reach is also a vital part of all BINUS SCHOOL, an opportunity for students to apply what they learn in classrooms.  [caption id="attachment_6774" align="alignnone" width="577"] Source : Binus[/caption] Giving Back to the Surrounding Community Giving back to the community is one of the core principles of education at BINUS SCHOOL Bekasi. For this reason, the school started an opportunity for primary class students to create community-based projects. Through these programs, students can learn the importance of kindness and empathy. Recently, the Primary Student Council Community Service at BINUS SCHOOL Bekasi created two community reach programs: Healthy Pantry and Backpack Day. These programs were aimed at the closest communities from the school: all the workers that have long been supporting the school activities. They included the security, housekeeping, and gardening staff with their families. Under the leadership of Jonna (Class 6A) and Vinno (Class 5B) as the president and vice president of the Primary Student Council, the community service program went smoothly. During the event, they distributed backpacks with stationery sets for the staff’ children and donated healthy meals. Teachers and students also said gratitude to the staff for their hard work keeping the school a comfortable place to study. All the students worked together to make the event a successful one. The Primary Student Council shared their joy on the school’s social media to share the event, and they promised another program to give back to the community. A shining example of the benefits of activities beyond the classroom.   How Community Reach Benefits Students BINUS SCHOOL Bekasi believes that community reach is one of the most vital elements in education. We believe that education should not stop within the classroom. Students must understand the connection between the lessons they learn and their roles as educated generations in society. BINUS SCHOOL Bekasi highly encourages students to expand their knowledge to the surrounding community. Teachers guide and support students in planning outreach and charity programs. The Healthy Pantry and Backpack Day are shining examples of simple programs done right, aimed at the closest communities from the school. By providing students opportunities to give back to the community, the school hopes that students get educational benefits beyond the classrooms. They include:   Improving Social Skills Students can train their social skills by doing community reach programs. During the Healthy Pantry and Backpack Day, you can see students collaborating in making the event a success. They communicated with each other and the security, gardening, and housekeeping staff that they had invited.  In these activities, students sharpened their public speaking, collaboration, verbal communication, and active listening. They started earning these skills early so they could nurture them until university years and even adulthood.    Nurturing Empathy and Compassion Students will learn to develop positive qualities that will lead to a better understanding of the world. Compassion and empathy are huge parts of community reach. The event by the Primary Student Council demonstrates care and kindness toward people who support the school’s daily activities. During the event, students worked together creating backpack packages and thoughtful, nutritious menus for meal boxes. They interact with the staff members and their families, smiling, having conversation, and handing the packages with care. These encourage students to treat others with care.   Enriching School Students BINUS SCHOOL Bekasi offers opportunities, clubs, and tools to support students in enriching activities. Students can experience lessons beyond classrooms, getting involved in planned programs and activities that shape many skills. They are parts of the school’s goal of enriching graduates and making them ready for further education and work years. The school facilitated the Primary Student Council Community Service, providing tools, guidance, and space. Students were given freedom to create and execute plans, but still under guidance. This is one of the benefits offered for BINUS SCHOOL students: opportunity and tools to join community-based programs. The Primary Student Council at BINUS SCHOOL Bekasi demonstrated the importance of community service through their Backpack Day and Healthy Pantry. Combining empathy and social skills with collaborative work under the teacher’s guidance, BINUS SCHOOL Bekasi provides a positive experience for students through community service.