I knew that some of the kids would be going home, and they would be alone until their parents got home from work.
But we were being asked not to tell the students (K-5) anything about what we knew.
The rest of the day passed, on the surface, like any other day, but the teachers knew... you could see it in their drawn faces. They tried to have a normal day for the students... it was just another day of learning for them.
But there was more hugging going on as we passed each other in the halls. Hugs of reassurance, comforting each other, despite the fact that we lived over 700 miles away from where it happened. Distance had nothing to do with feeling safe, or feeling neutral. That day, our hearts stopped beating for a few minutes.
Many of our teachers had family and friends in New York. We did not let the kids see our tears. We did not want to frighten them. No one got homework that night.
The last class of students that came to my room heard what I wanted them to go home with.
There are never any guarantees for safety and security in our world, in our communities, or in our homes. It's all relative, and perceived. Sometimes fantasized.
This was too complicated to explain to the children at that moment. I just didn't want them to be afraid, particularly those who had single parents, or parents who came home very late.
"Today when you go home, some of you will be turning on your television to watch cartoons, or your favorite show," I began.
"No, I'm going to play my video games," one boy said.
"Good, you go right ahead and play them. But if you do turn on your television set, you might find that your favorite show isn't on. It is possible that the news will be on instead. I just want you to know that when you watch the news tonight, please watch it with your parents. If your parents aren't home when you see the news, I want you to remember this one thing: no matter what you hear, you are going to be okay. You are safe in your home. Call your parents, or call your grandparents, or call someone you know who cares about you if you don't understand what you are hearing."
"Oh, I don't watch the news," a girl said.
"Maybe you don't usually, but tonight, you might be watching the news. Something really big happened today." I searched for the words. "If any of you pray at home, tonight would be a good time to pray for our world."
I gave them my home phone number to call me if they wanted to.
That night, no one called me. I was relieved, because it meant they all had someone with them, to answer their questions. To reassure them that everything was going to be okay.
In their little worlds, everything was going to be okay.
11 comments:
Children are so resilient... Thank God for that.
That was the perfect way of explaining it to them, Bea.
Hugs
Jackie
You handled it perfectly. http://journals.aol.com/mosie1944/MYCOUNTRYLIFE/entries/2006/09/07/ifweekend-assignment-128...-five-years-on/1808
Wow, Bea. I'm glad you said what you said.
I wish I'd had a caring teacher like you when I was young. I was an adult already when this happened but no teacher I ever knew gave her home phone number no matter what. That shows real love and dedication. GBU
Nelishia
http://journals.aol.com/nelishianatl/WISHINGANDHOPING/
Bea you were wonderful... my kids was afraid for a long time to come
it still saddens him
natalie
I had just dropped Megan at Middle School and was in line at the Post Office when the first plane hit the World Trade Center. Being a PTA activist, I had the Principal's unofficial number and called. They were just planning to run TV's live in every classroom. We lived in the Maryland suburbs of Washington DC at the time or 10 miles as the crow flies from the Pentagon. I figured it was better to direct my attention to Patti at home who may find this more confusing. Shortly came the crash into the Pentagon and suddenly the problem was on our door step. Before I could decide what to do every inch of our house shook. I rushed outside to see the sky filling with screaming eagles scrambling from nearby Andrews AFB. Their sonic booms were shaking residential neighborhoods everywhere. NO flight path restrictions were in effect now. Seeing the fighter jets I felt safer. Like most Americans we listened to news trickle in of the herosim in the sky over Pennsylvania as some passengeers had fought back. ... At school they watched history unfold until the buses came for dismissal. ... I year later on the 1st Anniversay, Megan and I flew to Florida on 9/11.
Patrick
This is a good weekend assignment Bea. Amazing how much detail you can remember. I might do my own entry on this over the weekend.
Kate.
http://journals.aol.co.uk/bobandkate/AnAnalysisofLife/
Bea, that was amazing. I can't imagine what it must have been like for teachers all over the country- trying to hold on to your emotions like that. What you did was good for them. Thank you. Carolyn
Oh Bea (((HUGS)))! You just brought back such memories to me! Your entries has my tears flowing. I was one of those people in my school office to break the news to so many teachers as they came through the door. It was one of the most horrifying, most devastating, most confusing days of my life! Through it all we had to keep ourselves pulled together for all the children.
I think of the way things were handled in the classes of my own children -- You are my hero for the way you handled things that day! Thank God I was a parent that took my children home with me at the end of the day. I can't even imagine a child having to go home alone and turn on the TV on that day.
What an awesome teacher you are! Thank you!
Martha
what a wonderful gift you gave your students -Kelly http://journals.aol.com/pixiedustnme/Inmyopinion/entries/2006/09/07/weekend-assignment-128/1374
Great entry, you are a very caring teacher...Sandi http://journals.aol.com/sdoscher458/LifeIsFullOfSurprises
Post a Comment