This last week of work turned out to be pretty emotionally difficult. Last Wednesday at our staff meeting, we had to talk about our lockdown drill practice, which is what we do if there is an intruder in the building. I work in the same district as Columbine High School, and also the district Jessica Ridgeway went to school in. If you don't live in Colorado and hadn't heard, Jessica was kidnapped over a week ago, and her body was found this last Thursday. So on Friday, everyone in the district was asked to wear purple in memory/ hope for Jessica (they hadn't confirmed anything by then). Plus, I needed to prepare my students for our lockdown drill that might be taking place tomorrow. What this all accumulated in was an hour-plus discussion about how to try and keep ourselves safe in a number of scenarios. I seriously hate talking about all of this - it makes my heart pound and my stomach hurt, and I had tears waiting right below the surface. The kids had dozens of 'what if' questions, some of which I didn't even know how to answer. I didn't want to scare the kids - they are only six years old - but it's also necessary to prepare them the best I can. I think if anything it all scared me more than them.
Please be praying for Jessica Ridgeway's family and friends. And that her killer would be caught quickly. Seriously.
But here's something light-hearted too: I was reading a picture book about a bear who was scared, and the other animals were giving him hugs. Jake said, "They should give him bear kisses! My sister and I do bear kisses!" I asked what bear kisses were, and he stuck his whole tongue out and licked the air like it was an ice cream cone a few times. Gross.
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