School Update: PS 183-Far Rockaway, New York

In the Fall of 2008, SFK New York launched the SFK Club, an after school program for students ages 8-12, who have completed all three levels of the SFK curriculum.  The purpose of the SFK Club is to give students an opportunity to share the tools learned in SFK, and to keep the values of the SFK program instilled in each student at home, within their community and around the world. 

Since 2007 PS 183- Far Rockaway, located in Queens, New York, has been a model location for SFK programming.  The entire body of the school from third through eighth grade has been exposed to the SFK curriculum. Because of this it was an ideal location to launch SFK Club. According to Ms. Tabitha Strauss a Teacher at PS 183, “SFK Club helps to reinforce the tools that students learn from SFK. Students listen to their ‘true voice’ while considering those in need. It is really a magical experience to watch this take place.”

Since its inception the SFK Club has donated nearly one thousand cans of food to local food banks, as well as conducted a bake sale to benefit Raising Malawi.  The students are currently in the process of working on a clothing drive to benefit the poor in Far Rockaway. In addition, moved by the tragedy in Haiti, students plan to contribute to the relief efforts there.

The children of PS 183 are now able to see the bigger picture of their personal work as they see how they can make an impact through the application of SFK principles to projects in their community and around the world. Participation in the club has inspired students to become leaders and has bolstered their self esteem as well. By encouraging students to act locally as well as globally, SFK Club fully embodies the concept of caring and sharing that SFK teaches.