One Hand Washes the Other at Ressie Jeffries Elementary School

As part of the EarlyAct program, students at Ressie Jeffries Elementary School gathered in a room adjacent to the entrance for a constructive activity at 3 p.m. on Thursday, January 16. Detailed on a Rotary website, “EarlyAct provides young students the opportunity for gaining an increased awareness and knowledge of their community and the world. At a young age, all students can easily be encouraged to be caring and helpful. Their minds are open to recognize the dignity and worth of each individual which builds respect for others. EarlyAct also engages students in character-building activities and prepares them for leadership roles to identify and carry out projects which benefit
their school, local and global communities.”

An energetic bunch of students gather in a room adjacent to the entrance at Ressie Jeffries Elementary School on Thursday, January 16. Royal Examiner Photo Credits: Brenden McHugh.

At this specific event, the students were guided by school system operators Hailey Chadwell and Dr. Kristen Pence in assembly line fashion where each student placed one of each item – shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, a wash cloth, and so on – in a plastic bag to be delivered to the local homeless shelter, from where a portion of those bags will find their way into blessing boxes. An energetic bunch, they fell into line obediently and accomplished their task with efficiency, being reminded in the process that things many take for granted are not available to everyone and there is something they can do about it. It is that awareness that Chadwell and Pence hope the students will take from the experience.

Fourth grade teacher Hailey Chadwell (above) facilitates an assembly line with the assistance of Dr. Kristen Pence (below).

This is one of many activities that students at Ressie Jeffries undertake on behalf of their community. Nursing homes and the animal shelter are some of numerous organizations that benefit from the civic pride that is being instilled at the school. “It may be the brightest thing they see all day,” Pence said of nursing home residents who will receive signed heart cards from the students. Chadwell remarked that it is important to instill these character lessons at an early point to shape the adults these children will become. Watching this event, the Royal Examiner wondered if this activity might implant in a few students a seed of social justice to grow up and ask questions about why people are homeless in the first place and how they can engage constructively with their community to solve that root problem.

Pence receives completed packets from enthusiastic students who thoroughly enjoyed the process.