Rejoice

Dear Lab School Families,

I tried to write this blog many times over the course of this week. It is hard to capture all that has been felt and experienced by our school family. Death is a hard, if not an impossible thing to understand - especially the death of a child. It was hard to say goodbye to our dear friend Jabu. Through all of this sadness I have been so moved by the work of our children and our faculty.

Monday began on a somber note. Students gathered in homerooms to be told of Jabu's passing. Teachers then led students in reflection and remembrance. Students wrote, talked and created art in honor of their classmate. Throughout the day a makeshift memorial tribute was formed for Jabu outside of the seventh grade classrooms - a bulletin board filled with notes, cards and pictures, a collection of flowers filled a large bucket and a remembrance paper chain was made.

During 7th period the entire 7th grade made a banner in memory of Jabu. A sheet of butcher paper was rolled all the way down the 7th grade hallway. Students gathered to share messages of love and comfort with Jabu's family. Students wrote notes, painted hearts, shared memories and stories. The banner was given to Jabu's family at Monday night's memorial service.

The day ended in celebration and appreciation. Students were all asked to write about someone that they appreciated. The students were then invited to share their appreciations in a 7th grade-wide assembly in the Cafeteria. Students shared all sorts of appreciations. Some humorous - "thank you for sharing your grapes with me everyday at lunch". Some more serious - "thank you for always cheering me up when I am feeling low". And some directed towards Jabu. Having students reflect in this way was an important way to the end the day.

Jabu will be remembered as a dancer, an actor, an author, a comedian, a friend to all...a kind and generous young man. I learned on Monday that the name Jabulani is Zulu for rejoice. I could not think of a more fitting name for this young man. He always brought such joy and happiness to our Lab School family.

My thoughts and prayers continue to be with Jabu's friends and family as we all mourn his loss.

I find that times of sadness and struggle are also moments where I become most thankful. The week started in sadness and ended with significant blessing. The most amazing part about being an educator is that children are remarkable - they constantly amaze and inspire a belief in what is possible. My first students (from when I was a teacher both here and in the Delta) are seniors. Today I learned of the first college offer. This may seem commonplace - of little significance. But for the one who taught them so much, who held their struggle as her own and who believed in what is possible it means the world. I am reminded that I am a teacher and I am blessed to be one.

Warmest,
Meg