WHAT MADE YOU GRIMACE & GRIT YOUR TEETH TODAY?

@msolga,

Well, of course I can't say much, but I dare to hope it went very well indeed. It's just a beginning, and only time will tell, but extraordinarily well (so far) given the nature of why we were there. But there is much more to come and none of it is remotely easy.

No thanks to me, I assure you...thanks to a worker who has been diligently returning there to work with kids and families for five years, plus long and patient work by some other folk. I can only imagine how exhausted the worker i speak of is...she has achieved something extraordinary. The worst is yet to come though.

Fascinating experience...this time I got to do those long meetings (often in the dirt) that folk speak of. First one went for over four hours!!

It was actually fun, with almost universal great camaraderie amongst the different folk from the different agencies and we left on a high.

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@dlowan,

Reading between the lines, Deb, (yes, I understand why you can't be more specific) this sounds a very positive start. In no way underestimating the enormity of the challenge .

Quote:

Fascinating experience...this time I got to do those long meetings (often in the dirt) that folk speak of. First one went for over four hours!!

Wow. I've only seen such meetings second hand. In films & documentaries. You are honoured!

Quote:

It was actually fun, with almost universal great camaraderie amongst the different folk from the different agencies and we left on a high.

Very good to hear, Deb. Smile

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A very sad first day to the school term today. Over the weekend there was a suicide-murder in the local community. A father killed himself & his 3 young children, all under 12 years of age. The oldest was a year 7 student at the school I work at, the two younger students had attended the primary school next door. So it was a very somber staff meeting at the start of the day, with some staff in tears. My first class was a year 7. (But not the same group the girl had been in.) A really strange, eerie atmosphere. Not one student spoke during the period. Total silence. Who knows what children make of such terrible happenings?

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@msolga,

Very sad occurance Ms olga.

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@dadpad,

Yes, indeed, dadpad.
It's having a huge impact, too, in a very close community.

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@msolga,

Yerk.

So horrible for everyone.

((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((Msolga and school)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))

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@dlowan,

Thanks, Deb, but really, it would have been so much harder for the kids & staff of the primary school next door. They knew all 3 students really well.
It must have been awful there today.

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@msolga,

Awful. Is the school getting any outside help with this?

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@patiodog,

Yes, education department counselors present at both schools, advising staff & counseling students. Particularly at the primary school.

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@msolga,

msolga wrote:

A very sad first day to the school term today. Over the weekend there was a suicide-murder in the local community. A father killed himself & his 3 young children, all under 12 years of age. The oldest was a year 7 student at the school I work at, the two younger students had attended the primary school next door. So it was a very somber staff meeting at the start of the day, with some staff in tears. My first class was a year 7. (But not the same group the girl had been in.) A really strange, eerie atmosphere. Not one student spoke during the period. Total silence.

Who knows what children make of such terrible happenings?

In my opinion, the way to know that is to remember back to your own early years
and the early years of your friends, of similar age.

U can also ask them.

David

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@OmSigDAVID,

We were given pretty clear guidelines about what to say & what not to say to the students today, David. It was considered not to be a good idea to encourage discussions, which would have inevitably lead to further speculation about the motive for the killings, in class. (Unless the subject was brought up by students themselves & then we were advised as how to respond).

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@msolga,

msolga wrote:

We were given pretty clear guidelines about what to say & what not to say to the students today, David. It was considered not to be a good idea to encourage discussions, which would have inevitably lead to further speculation about the motive for the killings, in class. (Unless the subject was brought up by students themselves & then we were advised as how to respond).

How did thay tell u to respond ?

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@OmSigDAVID,

With considerable caution, David, for very good reasons.

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@msolga,

msolga wrote:

With considerable caution, David, for very good reasons.

Again, if u genuinely desire this information,
then just THINK BACK to your own childhood.
Ask your relatives; ask your friends.

Maybe, in a few months, ask the kids, if this information
is important to u.

David

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@msolga,

Last year, the assistant principal of our elementary school went in for routine surgery, and ended up never coming home...she was in her early to mid 30's. That had a huge effect on the entire school system, many of the teachers....very small rural school...were close friends with her, as well as being highly thought of by the students.

She was the type of person that everyone wants in that position....very caring, hugging on the kids all the time...and always with a camera....my wife has a picture she took of us one night at a school function, hanging on the wall of her shop.

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@2PacksAday,

That's very sad, 2Packs.
And at such a young age.
Apart from the impact on the school, I can well imagine the impact on your whole small community. My commiserations to you.

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@msolga,

Thoughts are with you MzOlga to counsel kids, friends and colleagues as best you can (((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((((Olga)))))))))))))))))))))))))))) much love my friend, much love and hugs...

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@Izzie,

Thank you for the love & hugs, Iz.
(Just what I needed this morning! Smile

)
But really, it's more a case of everyone "counseling" each other in this situation, as the need arises.
Lots of extra support available for the students who need it, which is really good.

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@msolga,

Hard to explain to the kids, hard to understand and explain to yourself. Just be honest and yourself and the kids will listen to you.

Sending you the strength to deal with this the best you and and to support your colleagues and vice versa.

Terribly terribly sad for this to happen in your small community.

We had an awful incidence many years ago in the UK Olga

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunblane_massacre

Not to bring up the past, I think this shocked our world here... there may be advice or perhaps a number/contact/HT contact who may be able to help advise.

(Let me know if you would like to me to make enquiries in how they dealt with this- I can contact the HT there... all siutations are different but the basics in counselling these children and yourselves/colleagues may be useful).

My heart goes out to you hun ((((((((((((((Olga))))))))))))))))))))

Let others help you too Olga, dealing with kids is so very difficult. Hope you get some very good advice. I am SURE that the children who you talk to will benefit enormously for the skills, understanding and compassion we know that you have.

Take very good care xxxxx

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@Izzie,

Thanks, Iz.

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WHAT MADE YOU GRIMACE & GRIT YOUR TEETH TODAY?

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