Chamisa Elementary School second grade students prepare to share joy with residents in the neighborhood around their school. Courtesy photo Courtesy photo

Chamisa Elementary School second grade students with their gifts for area residents. Courtesy photo

It really only takes one spark, one idea, one person to make a difference in the life of a child. One teacher can bring life to a lesson that can create a lifetime memory.

Chamisa Elementary School second grade teacher Tricia Javernick took a simple classroom lesson and gave it not only legs, but wings to fly. While reading her favorite Valentine’s Day picture book to her class, Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch by Eileen Spinelli, the spark was ignited, and real-world implication was afoot.

“I was thinking, ‘What could we do to make people like Mr. Hatch feel loved on Valentine’s Day this year?’” Javernick said.

She asked parents to donate candy, solicited the help of School Counselor Michaelangelo Lobato to chaperone and received permission from Principal Suzanne Lynne to visit the neighborhood around Chamisa Elementary School in White Rock.

Parents were enthusiastic and sent in lots of boxes of chocolates and of course as teachers do, Javernick headed to Smith’s to pick up a few extra boxes in case someone couldn’t donate.

While the intended lesson was empathy, what it may have taught was that sometimes when you give, you receive more in return. Some of the houses visited that day, unbeknownst to them would result in gifts of love they couldn’t imagine. One home was that of a 98-year-old, former bus driver, who drove for Los Alamos Public Schools for 30 years.

Another, was the home of a family visiting after their brother passed away just days before. The family was getting things in order and preparing for a funeral when the knock at the door, brought a little sunshine into a dark time. The kindness was even mentioned during the eulogy that weekend.

Several students comment about their experience:

“I felt happy about making other people happy.” –Lauren

“I felt good because making people happy makes me feel good.” –Keshet

“It was nice and thoughtful.” Allison.

“I was happy because we were giving people chocolates even though we didn’t know who they were.” –Aidan

“It felt good to see smiles on people’s faces.” –Sadie

“I felt awesome spreading the joy!” –Michael

“I felt my heart got bigger.” –Khloe

“I felt happy because some people lived by themselves and didn’t have anyone to give them chocolates.” –Amy

“I felt good about myself.” –HarSavari

“I like giving and helping people.” –Evelyn

“I felt good about making someone feel better.” –Anantpreet

The Cheetahs persevered delivering 35 boxes and learned along the way, that sometimes kindness can be hard work. The activity took an hour and 15 minutes. The children could be seen and heard singing on their way back to the school to end the day with their own Valentine party.

“It is so wonderful that my students come from loving and supportive families who make every holiday special for them,” Javernick said. “I think it is important to remind them of others who may not be as blessed and think about what we can do to include them and care for them.”