Giving to each other, and to the community, at Compass School

The last day of school before December break is always among the most special at Compass. What started over a decade ago as a simple gift giving exchange has become part of a much larger and more meaningful effort to learn about giving to others.

Giving Day begins at Compass with a community breakfast made by the Senior class.  Students then have the choice of working in groups on giving activities that include participating in a food drive project to support local food banks, caroling around town (especially appreciated by the residents at McGirr’s Home for the Elderly), or creating cards for relatives and others. This is a chance for all to give to the larger community beyond the school’s walls.

Once back together, the whole school gathers for the Giving Circle. Since early November, students and teachers have been working secretly on personalized, handmade gifts for their own special person picked at random. The ritual of gifting models the best in speaking from the heart, recognizing the positive qualities of others, and demonstrating admiration and caring.

The first gift giver goes to the middle of the circle and speaks, in front of the whole school, about the many good qualities of their special person. After accepting their gift and offering thanks, this first gift receiver becomes the next gift giver, perpetuating the cycle of appreciation, gift sharing, and thanks until each person in the school community is honored.

Now this may all seem like just a feel good way to spend what is typically, in most schools, a fairly non productive day before vacation. And while it is certainly an uplifting day, at Compass it means much more than just token kindness. 

Since the rule is all gifts must be made and not bought, this calls on students to be creative, thoughtful, and dedicated to quality work. These are traits that can transfer to almost every aspect of school and life. Just some examples of this attention to detail include: an origami chess set, a handmade foosball table, handmade jewelry and knit hats, a personalized one-man show screenplay and a stuffed pink zebra.

This spirit of giving and respect runs throughout the school program. Compass sets high expectations for students to be both strong students and strong contributors to the world around them. Giving Day is just one part of this comprehensive effort to assure a respectful and safe environment in school, to connect learning to the real world, and to have students develop the “emotional intelligence” to be successful in school and beyond.

For more information about Compass and its unique program for students grades 7-12, check out our website at www.compass-school.org.