'LET ME HELP': SIXTH-GRADER WORKS TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE

When a job needs to be done, adults and students at Eagle Ridge Christian School can count on Jessica Gardner to say "Let me help."

Jessica, a sixth-grader, tries to make kindness a habit in her life. She read about Random Acts of Kindness Week and knew she wanted to participate.

"I've committed to helping at least five people this week," Jessica said, in a letter to the newspaper.

But, she pointed out, kindness shouldn't be limited to just one week.

"Every week should be Random Acts of Kindness," she said.

Jessica, the daughter of Dennis and Karen Gardner, helps her mom and dad do chores around the house. She helps her teachers pass out papers. She helps her friends get along, especially when they play kickball.

"I try to make everyone happy. Things usually go a lot better when everyone is nice to each other," she said.

"She's a good girl with a big heart," said Karen Ward, Jessica's teacher.

Ward said Jessica is a peace-maker. "She has a knack for intervening in a positive way when other kids are having trouble," she said.

Her caring attitude is evident in the classroom, Ward said. "When we do group work, Jessica is always a leader."

But her help doesn't stop at the end of the school day.

After school, as many of her classmates run out the door to their various activities, Jessica heads to the school office.

Several people working at the school have young children and babies in the office after school. Jessica watches the babies so the adults can do their after-school work.

"When adults at the school need help, they come and borrow Jessica," Ward said.

Teaching kindness is a daily part of the curriculum at Eagle Ridge, Ward said. "We want a warm, fuzzy classroom, not a cold, prickly classroom."

Jessica said the reason to help others is obvious. "If you are kind to other people, they will be kind to you."