Community Service

At the heart of Montessori is the active, engaged learner exploring the world. At Post Oak, we know learning happens both inside and outside the classroom. Community service is a powerful way to make those discoveries.
In addition to the service learning woven throughout our curriculum, Post Oak families have a long tradition of coming together for service events that celebrate community in three key ways:

  • Serving others: We seek opportunities across the Houston area where our time, skills, and energy make a difference.
  • Learning together: We join our children as fellow learners, gaining new perspectives and experiences side by side.
  • Building connections: Along the way, we have fun and strengthen our Post Oak bonds.

Have ideas for future service events or partnerships? We'd love to hear from you! Please reach out to Chelsea White. We hope you’ll join us at upcoming events. Bring your Post Oak friends and meet new ones, too!

2025–26 Service Events

We would love to have you join us for the following events. Please sign up here.

October 4, 2025 and March 28, 2026: Gardening at Post Oak (9:00–11:00 a.m.)

Gardening and Montessori go hand-in-hand—fostering child development through hands-on engagement with nature and providing sensory experiences that promote a love for the Earth. Join other families in these two days of outdoor fun. You bring your favorite tools, Post Oak will provide the rest.

November 15, 2025: Book Cycle (1:30–3:00 p.m.)

At Book Cycle, your little Montessorians will help sort through mountains of donated books and organize a collection to donate to the UT Pediatric Oncology Division, providing reading opportunities for children in their waiting rooms. We’ll turn up the music, have some snacks, and help this nonprofit that provides free books for all. While best suited for Elementary-age students, younger students can attend if supervised by parents. We’ll find a place to continue the fun and socialize after the event if the group is interested!

January 19, 2026: MLK Day of Service  (10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.)

Although school is closed on Monday, January 19, we continue our spirit of service. A Post Oak tradition is blanket-making in the BC gym. All families are welcome! High School, Middle School, and Elementary students create hand-tied blankets, which are donated to local women and children’s shelters. Primary students decorate lunch bags, which are donated to Kids’ Meals.

Previous Events

Gardening at Blackshear Elementary

In partnership with the Peaceful Planet Foundation.

Please join us on the second Saturday of each month for a community service gardening opportunity at Blackshear Public Elementary School in South Central Houston. We will spend an hour or more pulling weeds and lending a hand.

When: 
Second Saturday each month, 8:30 to 10:00 a.m.
This event is weather permitting, so text Christy or Johnna if weather is questionable.

Dates:
May 10

Where: Blackshear Elementary, 2900 Holman St, Houston, TX 77004

Please bring gloves and any garden tools (if available). They will also have some tools and gloves on hand. Don’t forget your water bottles—there will be a container for refills, sun protection, and bug spray.

If you have any questions, please contact Christy Hartman at (713) 446-2456. Sign up for as many dates as you'd like—we look forward to seeing you there! 

RSVP

Please click here to RSVP.

Parking

The entrance to Blackshear is off of Ennis. There is plenty of room for parking on the weekends right in front of the school (gated parking lot but volunteers will let you in). The garden is at the SW corner—it's a small school and there are plenty of folks to direct you towards the garden. 

First-time Attendance

Register and sign the waiver/release of liability form electronically. Two parents/guardians can use one form as long as both names are entered and both signatures are in the signature box. There is a place for children’s names, also. Please complete prior to arriving at the school.

 

Gardening at Post Oak!

Join us for gardening on Saturday, March 22, at the Bissonnet Campus backfield. We will work on restoring the the Elementary gardens. This event is welcome to all levels.

  • When: Saturday, March 22, 9:00 to 11:00 a.m.
  • Where: Bissonnet Campus Backfield, 4600 Bissonnet St., Bellaire, TX 77401

Please click here to RSVP. 

Questions? Email Evan Wildstein or call 281-822-8024.

MLK Jr Day of Service at Post Oak

School is out for the day and you're invited to gather in the BC gym! Join other Post Oak families for a service project—making blankets to share with the community at Santa Maria Hostel, a remarkable organization that serves women and children in Greater Houston.

  • When: Monday, January 20 
    (10 a.m. to noon)
  • Where: Bissonnet Campus, 4600 Bissonnet St., Bellaire, TX 77401

Please click here to RSVP. 

Questions? Email Evan Wildstein or call 281-822-8024.

families gather for community service

The Book Cycle

Join us at The Book Cycle where our little Montessori army of volunteers will help sort through mountains of donated books. We'll be organizing a collection of books to donate to the UT Pediatric Oncology Division, for children in their waiting rooms to have reading opportunities as they pass the time during their often long waits. We’ll turn up the music, have some snacks, and help this nonprofit that provides free books for all, keeping them in circulation longer. Feel free to pop in and out as needed. This event is geared towards elementary age students and older, though younger students may certainly attend if supervised by parents. And, as with all of our community service events, we'll find a place to continue the fun and socialize after the event!

  • When: Saturday, November 16, 1:30 to 3:00 p.m.
  • Where: The Book Cycle, 405 Velasco St, Houston, TX 77003

RSVP

Please click here to RSVP. Questions?

Email or text Christy Hartman at (713) 446-2456 or Johnna Gluth at (912) 659-0514.

Citizens for Animal Protection

Please join us on Saturday, October 5, for community service at Citizens for Animal Protection.

Does your child love dogs, cats, and bunnies? Join us for a community service event where your child can practice their reading skills while helping an animal in need. Children ages six & up are invited to read their favorite book, or borrow one from the shelter library, aloud to a furry friend. This program is aimed to help students gain confidence in their reading skills and make the animals more comfortable meeting new people. The visit will include a education presentation about the shelter's work, a meet and greet with an shelter animal, and ample time to read to shelter animals. 

As with all of our events, we'll find a place to continue the fun and socialize afterwards! 

  • When: Saturday, October 5, from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m.
  • Where: Citizens for Animal Protection, 17555 Katy Fwy, Houston, TX 77094

Only 30 spots for children are available, so you must RSVP to attend—all participants will be sent a waiver to be signed and brought to the event.

Email or text Christy Hartman (713) 446-2456 or Johnna Gluth (912) 659-0514 to RSVP or with any questions.