Being generous isn’t just about giving money; it’s also about giving your time, attention, your heart, and sometimes your ear. The people who understand this most might just be teachers and school staff. Whether you’re a teacher, student, parent, or grandparent, this list of 25 opportunities for generosity during the school year will help you spread generosity throughout your school.
Younger kids: Parents, discuss with your children the ways they can help others at their school.
- Share your resources: Lend a pencil, eraser, or other supplies to a classmate who forgot theirs.
- Buy a treat: Use a portion of your allowance to surprise a friend with a school treat. Whether your school has a store, vending machine, or a-la-carte cafeteria, you can brighten someone’s day by gifting one of the most sought-after items.
- Add to the library: Donate a favorite book or a few books you’re no longer using to your classroom or school library for others to enjoy.
- Include everyone: Invite a new student or someone who seems lonely to play with you at recess or talk with you during a break.
Older kids: Look for opportunities to be generous with peers and teachers.
- Offer your time to study together: Help a friend who is struggling with a subject.
- Serve without being asked: Tidy up a classroom or common area before leaving for the day.
- Look for ways to encourage others: Compliment a classmate’s hard work or artistic talent.
- Speak up for others: Defend someone who is being bullied or talked about negatively.
Parents: Show generosity to those who work at your kid’s school.
- Purchase supplies: Ask for a wish list, and decide as a family which items to check off.
- Write a thank-you note: Take the time to communicate your appreciation to anyone who interacts with your child throughout their day: bus driver, school nurse, administrator, specials teachers, etc.
- Send a small gift: Ask for a list of favorites (coffee, plant, snack, etc.) and surprise a teacher or someone else at school on unexpected days with a small token of your appreciation.
- Offer to help: Volunteer as room parent or ask how you can use items from home (printer, laminator, paper cutter, etc.) to take some work off a teacher’s plate.
- Reinforce at home: Discuss classroom rules, check homework, and talk about concepts being taught to ensure your child is a positive addition to the classroom culture.
- Compliment a teacher to their supervisor: Write an email to the school administrator sharing what you appreciate most about your child’s teacher.
Teachers: Look for extra ways you can be generous to a student.
- Invest in their future: Write a thoughtful letter of recommendation for a student.
- Celebrate small victories: Acknowledge and praise a student for their effort, not just their achievements.
- Create a safe space: Be a trusted, non-judgmental adult a student can confide in.
- Give grace: Be flexible with a student or a parent who is going through a difficult time.
- Provide for needs: Keep a supply of extra pens, paper, or even snacks for students who need them.
- Offer genuine encouragement: Remind a student of their value and potential, regardless of their grades.
Grandparents of a student: Be generous toward the learner in your family, their peers, and those doing the work of teaching them.
- Pray for them: Pray regularly and specifically for your grandchild, their teachers, and their classmates.
- Support their passions: Attend a play, concert, or sporting event to show you care.
- Provide practical help: Offer to do carpool or chauffeur grandchildren to afterschool activities.
- Give of your time: Be on the lookout for volunteer opportunities from the school or teacher, or offer to help your grandkids with their homework.
- Support the school: Contribute to fundraising campaigns or suggest creative ways you could use your business or expertise to benefit the school.
