Round 15: October 2023
Narrated by Phoebe Lind.
This semester's start couldn't have been worse.
Ethan Hayes passed away just two weeks before school started and it really changed the whole school. Nyah immediately arranged a counsellor to stay at the school for the first month so that students could get some help in this crisis. Ethan was such an outgoing person and loved to joke around. I've never seen the students so quiet especially after summer.
We've gone back to our regular schedule now because this is a school after all. We're not doing our job if we don't teach the kids all the subjects in the curriculum. We're trying not to put too much pressure on them though.
My 7th graders are thrilled about the shop class. They could easily spend the whole day there just building stuff or doing ceramics or sewing.
Ethan's little brother Jeremy seems to enjoy working on the toy bench. It's probably a good way to let out some of his tension.
He's found other ways as well. I think I have to keep an eye on him and Madelyn Cooper. It's natural for teenagers to start dating but two 12-year-olds are a bit too young for that. I don't think their parents would approve either.
Nyah's taken the habit of talking to Aaron in her office every week, just to see how he's doing. He's been having some problems concentrating on school work but he's trying his best and that's all we really want from him.
Ethan's girlfriend Emily has her sister Sara to talk to. They've always seemed to be very close and now they spend every recess together. I don't know how serious her relationship with Ethan was - how serious can it be for two teenagers - but I'm glad to see her smile again.
Nyah's determined to have a band at the school Christmas party. She has the senior students training every week and they're starting to sound pretty good.
Aaron plays the drums and sometimes it feels like he's banging them as hard as he can. He seems to enjoy it though so if it gives him even a short moment of some kind of peace of mind then we don't mind.
Notes:
- Title reference: We rule the school by Belle & Sebastian.
- I really couldn't write a high school update without bringing up Ethan's tragedy. He was one of the oldest students and everyone knew him so his death certainly had an affect on the whole school.
- I thought I'd give Phoebe a chance to narrate since her family doesn't get real updates.
- I'm laid off for December so hopefully I'll be able to crank out a few more updates this year. The weather is certainly perfect for simming, it's about -20 centigrades outside so I'll be sure to stay inside!
It does seem natural to include thoughts about his death. You wrote it really well.
ReplyDeleteIt's only been 2 months (game time) since Ethan's death so naturally it's on everyone's mind constantly. I'm glad you liked it.
DeleteThanks for reading. :)
The school I work at has had two students die in the time I've been teaching there and it really does put a very sad cloud over the school for quite some time. Even once the initial grieving is over, things feel quite strange for a while. Very much like what's happening at your school here. I'm glad the staff are doing everything they can to help the kids through this though. It's not easy.
ReplyDeleteI'm happy to hear a little from Phoebe too! I should let Pamela narrate one of these days, so thanks for the idea!
It can't be easy dealing with death in a school environment. Teenagers tend to think sometimes that they're immortal and it really is a shock when someone at their age dies.
DeleteI thought about letting one of the students narrate it but then I thought I'd give Phoebe a chance. I'd love to hear from Pamela too!
Thanks for reading. :)
You never realise in how many life some one was involved untill he's gone. I think you've incorperate Ethan's dead really well, it's only natural that is has some impac in his school as well.
ReplyDeleteEthan was such an outgoing guy that everyone at school knew him and his death really left an empty spot. I'm glad you liked the update, I didn't want it to be too sad so I added other stuff too.
DeleteThanks for reading. :)
I also thought you wrote this well and it was nice to hear from Phoebe. You're right that teenagers sometimes think they're immortal so I know it has to be a major shock to know someone their age just die suddenly. It looks like Aaron is coping as good as you can when your twin has died.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much. I tried to balance the good and the bad, I didn't want the update to be too sad. It's probably harder to deal with the death of a young person because it's usually so unexpected. You don't expect to lose someone your age when you're in high school.
DeleteI think Aaron still has some difficult times ahead but he's trying to move on, as hard as it is.
Thanks for reading. :)