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Join Us! Lower School Service Club Begins on Friday, October 24

The Bush Families Association’s Lower School Service Club is back! This parent and guardian-led, after-school initiative invites students to explore how small actions can create big change, through hands-on community service and environmental projects that connect directly to Bush’s values.

MISSION OF LOWER SCHOOL SERVICE CLUB
To empower a generation of compassionate changemakers who care for their communities and the planet, fostering empathy, teamwork, and responsibility through meaningful action. This year’s club is led by Kim Vanderhoeven (P’36, P’33), Judi Yates (P’24, ’30, ‘34), Truc Ha (P’33, ’35), and Laura Ward (P’36), in collaboration with Bush faculty, staff, and local partners.

CLUB INFORMATION
  • The club will gather approximately once a month to work on community service/impact projects. Meetings involve the sharing of ideas, as well as instruction and reflection to help the Lower School students understand the club’s purpose.  
  • The number of students, parents and guardians, and Bush staff will vary based on project scope.  
  • Events will typically occur on Fridays between 3:30 and 4:30 p.m. (occasionally running longer), and will include opportunities for K-5 projects and family weekend events.
  • There will be no charge for the club, and it is accessible to all students and families by helping them discover how the power of sharing their time and energy can make a difference in the world. We may seek out donations from the K-12 community (such as books, materials, food, or clothing).
  • All interested Lower-School faculty and staff are welcome to participate. 
  • If you have a middle or upper school student interested in working with Lower School students for the Lower School service club, email Kim Vanderhoeven.
  • Parent and Guardian volunteers must pass a background check. 
  • Click here for a slideshow of past projects.
  • To share an idea you’d like to propose for a session or just want to ensure you are on our email list, please complete this form.  
🐾 Project 1: Dog Tug Toys & Tie Blankets for Homeward Pet
We’re kicking off this year’s Lower School Service Club with a heartwarming project inspired by Nora V. ’33, whose love for animals sparked this idea to support pets in need. Students will create braided dog tug toys and fleece tie blankets for the Homeward Pet Adoption Center, a local no-kill shelter that finds homes for more than 1,800 dogs, cats, puppies, and kittens each year.

In the spirit of this year’s theme of Courage, students will show the courage to try something new, using their creativity and care to make a difference for animals waiting for their forever homes. 

Through this hands-on project, students will experience how compassion and community connection come together to create real change, one tug toy and one blanket at a time. Due to space constraints, we will need to limit to twenty-five students.
 

DOG TUG TOYS & TIE BLANKETS
Date: Friday, October 24
Time: 3:20–4:30 p.m.
Location: Second Grade Classroom
Grades: Kindergarten–Fifth Grade

2025–2026 Bush Lower School Service Club Events

October
Friday, October 24
  • Homeward Pet Adoption Center: No-Sew Blanket and tug toy projects

November
  • PALC (Preschool Adventures Learning Center): Preschool Garden, worm compost, and harvest 
  • Worm Bin Composting and Middle-School Yard Clean-Up
December
  •  Lake City Partners: Sack Lunch Assembly and Donation
    All Lower School Winter service event, Backpack Brigade: Food Drive and craft
January
  • Humane Society: Tie Blankets for Animals
February
  • Supporting Babies of Homelessness: Craft kits and Donation Drive
March
  • PALC: Spring Gardening and Yard Clean-Up
April
  • Lake City Partners: Sack Lunch Assembly and Donation
May–June
TBD : Student-inspired community project to close the year!

GET INVOLVED

If you’d like to volunteer, help coordinate a project, or simply learn more about how the Service Club connects Bush students with their broader community, reach out to: Kim Vanderhoeven (P’36, P’33), Judi Yates (P’24, ’30, ’34), Truc Ha (P’33, ’35), and Laura Ward (P’36)


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The Bush School
The Bush School is an independent day school located in Seattle, WA enrolling 745 students in grades K–12. The mission of The Bush School is to spark in students of diverse backgrounds and talents a passion for learning, accomplishment, and contribution to their communities

3400 East Harrison Street, Seattle WA 98112 (206) 322-7978
The Bush School does not discriminate in matters of employment, recruitment, admissions, or administration of any of its programs on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national or ethnic origin, disability, gender, or sexual orientation. In addition, The Bush School does not discriminate in matters of employment on the basis of age or marital status
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