Generosity involves giving to others in many forms: time, caring, recognition, material offerings and services.  It requires balancing your own needs with the interests of others.  It becomes an essential part of forming your identity. We know that the need to belong is universal and is fostered in many ways, such as through feeling loved and supported, through positive relationships, and through a sense of connection to family, friends, and community.   Belonging also extends a connection to a harmony with all living things, animals, vegetation, and the land.   So how does generosity fit in?    Well, it is through connections to others that we learn and practice generosity.  Generosity is learned from receiving generosity and gradually experiencing the rewards of giving to others. Time, attention, and material things are what usually are given.  Learning to give has many benefits. Besides being rewarding in and of itself, interpersonal giving and receiving is key to building relationships. 

To help nurture our learners’ sense of belonging through the generosity lens, we focused on the theme of generosity during our last Family Teams. 

• What is the spirit of generosity?
• How do you show generosity with your head, your heart and your hands?

We learned from author Leah Dorian in her retelling of a traditional Métis Story, The Giving Tree. We learned to think of others, give back and celebrate in knowing that it connects you to others.  Blair learners reflected in teams and then individuals considered how that are generous in their lives.  We now have a giant “Giving Tree” at the entrance highlighting just how importing the spirit of generosity is in our community.  

A few days after our Family Teams, our wonderful PAC demonstarted generosity and modelled the way.  They provided dumplings for the entire school!  Not only did they show the spirit of generosity in the gift of the dumplings, but the gave their time and love in the cooking of them all.  Our students received and the spirit of beloning was palpable.