Another Death at My School

We had a teacher workshop yesterday, during which we received news that one of our juniors was involved in an accident the night before. He's brain dead and is on life support. He was goofing around with friends and got on the trunk of a car. The car moved, allegedly only going a few miles per hour. When he fell off, he hit his head. Blood came out of his eyes, nose, mouth, and ears. I think he died almost instantly.

A large group of his friends came to the school and huddled together in the hall by the band room, crying. Boys and girls and a couple of parents, all crying. We had to pass them on our way to one of our meetings. One of my students came straight up to me and hugged me and cried. I told him how sorry I was. I felt so helpless. There's not a thing that I can do or anyone else, for that matter.

This boy who died was one of the smart kids--band, advanced classes, good future. I feel sick about it. He was signed up to take my class next trimester. I've only seen him around the school with other students I know; I've never had him in class. Not like the other boy who died in 2002 who was in my class all year. I think this current death is hitting me much harder. I knew this kid as a person, through friends and through his girlfriend last year. I knew about his breakup with her and how upset he was. The boy from 2002 I only knew as a student because he had little interest in school and rarely spoke to me. This boy I actually knew.

Monday is supposed to be the first day of our Homecoming week. I'm supposed to wear senior colors on Monday to support the graduating class. I feel like wearing blue to support the junior class and the boy who died. Also, I have many of his friends in my 2nd hour class. I can't decide if I should have class as usual, or if I should give them a break and let them hang out with each other and cry.