Countywide : A Lesson in Respect, Friendship

At first glance, Caalin Warren and Ashley Jackson looked like best friends as they walked hand in hand at Shoreline Village Park in Long Beach.

But Caalin, an 11-year-old Corona del Mar student, and 5-year-old Ashley, who lives 25 miles away in downtown Long Beach, were strangers until they met Wednesday.

The pair, who quickly became inseparable, were among 60 students from the two communities who took part in a unique program designed to teach them about respecting and understanding others.

The encounter was arranged by the students’ teachers, Francie Hansen of Lee Elementary School in Long Beach and Sharon Harrington of Corona del Mar’s Harbor View Elementary School.

“It’s just a real positive thing in this day and age,” said Hansen, 46, whose kindergartners all qualify for a federally funded lunch program for underprivileged children.

“No matter what their families are--wealthy or poor--all kids are human beings,” Hansen said. “We want to teach our classes that, to just appreciate everybody and to learn that we’re all in this world together, no matter what.”

Hansen’s pupils arrived at Shoreline on a public bus. The fare was paid with money raised by Harbor View’s sixth-grade class.

The teachers, longtime friends, began the get-togethers three years ago. “We realized that Francie couldn’t take her kids on field trips like we could, so we started collecting aluminum cans to recycle,” Harrington said. Her class has raised $123 so far this year.

“My kids can get field trips because they can bring in a few dollars,” Harrington said. “Her kids can’t.”

The get-togethers may have started out as a charitable act, but they have become lessons in compassion.

Siri Herzog, 11, hugged Bernadette Byers, 5, as they rode a galloping horse on the merry-go-round. “Wee,” said Bernadette, her eyes widening. It was her first time on a carousel.

Steeri Kampten, 5, and his partner Peter Carlton, 12, gave each other enthusiastic high fives when the ride was over.

The duo caught a glance of the Queen Mary before rushing off to a candy store, where all the kindergartners fell in love with Trolls--fuzzy-haired dolls their older counterparts bought them to wear on their fingers.

Love and friendship were evident, said Roneeka Lewis’ mother, Tina Brevard. She watched her 5-year-old daughter playing tag with her newfound friend, 12-year-old Kendra Witzel, 12. “That’s nice,” she said. “The kids are learning how to treat another person and how to respect, share and cooperate.”

Charmane Lincoln, 6, had Leni Messenger, 11, chasing her around the grassy park, both sharing laughter.

“She’s really nice,” Leni said, embracing the 6-year-old. “It makes me feel really good that I’m doing something for someone less fortunate than me.”

Hansen smiled as she watched the children play.

“This is what the world needs now,” she said. “Big and small, everybody needs to learn how to give a little, be kind and friendly.”