’Tis the Season to Learn About Giving

We all love to receive a present. Anticipation, surprise, and excitement are emotions that we all experience as we receive and open gifts. We especially love to see the joy and fun children exhibit as they open their presents at Christmas time. While receiving a gift is a highlight in the human experience, we know that there is also joy, fulfillment and satisfaction in giving. Understanding and embracing the value of giving and serving is essential in becoming a balanced and complete person. At HSPS, we recognize that the holiday season is an ideal time to teach about giving and sharing. The following are some of the many activities and events that, as we partner with our community, help our students learn about giving and sharing during this Holiday Season:

• Our High School National Honor Society is collecting and donating dollars to help fund the medical expenses for Steven Foster, who was recently diagnosed with brain cancer.
• Fifth grade students are collecting non-perishable food items for the local food pantry.
• A number of students participated in Stutsmanville Chapel’s Journey to Bethlehem production.
• Students in Mrs. Anderson’s class are collecting pet presents to donate to some of the pets at the local Human Society.
• The Boy Scouts are auctioning off baskets of sports equipment and other items to raise money for needy families.
• Students from the Presbyterian Church are delivering packages to needy families.
• Students in Mrs. Simmons’s second grade class are making and delivering cards and gifts for adopted grandparents at Bay Bluffs.
• The Sixth Grade Service Learning Class partnered with the Presbyterian Church and helped develop an Alternative Gift Fair.
• The Fifth Grade Newspaper Staff hosted a dress-up day to raise money for a family in need.
• Piano students provided a Sunday afternoon recital with Christmas carols and cookies for the Bay Bluffs residents.
• Students participated with Stutsmanville Chapel in collecting and packaging Christmas care packages for needy children in third world countries.
• Students in sixth grade language arts classes will be organizing a bowl-a-thon to raise funds for Steven Foster.

Harbor Springs has a reputation of being a generous and giving community. Using teachable moments where our youth can learn about charity, service and mercy is important in ensuring that we continue the tradition of giving to the next generation. It’s great that our youth are able to learn from the adults in the community who model a serving and giving spirit!