Keeper of the Kleenex

This morning the whole school went over to church to sing at the funeral of a grandpa of one of my 6th graders.  The family had asked us to sing "What a Friend We Have in Jesus."  We went over super early so we'd get in place before the family had to enter. 


The kids did okay on the way over there and as we got situated up in the balcony.  But waiting fifteen minutes was a bad idea.  One of the 3rd graders started crying, and her fellow third grade classmates followed.  That got the kindergartners started. 


I was standing near a box of Kleenex, so I passed the box around.  And again.  And again.  And then we ran out.  It was almost time to start the service, but I scooted downstairs to find another box.  I felt so bad, scrounging for a box of Kleenex while the family waited in line to go in.  Thankfully the janitor found one super fast and I was able to sneak back upstairs.  We got more Kleenex passed out and were able to sing and depart without any trouble. 


Church was packed.  The grandpa was a big horse person.  He was on the Montana Board of Quarter Horses plus his house (the place on the edge of Courtland with all the horse pastures) was one of the stopping places for the Native Americans who do the ride between South Dakota and Mankato commemorating the hanging of the 38 (right before Christmas... the Dakota Uprising).  So lots of visitors came.


Singing at the funeral cast a somber tone to the whole day.  I noticed it especially during the floor hockey tournament.  We had parents send permission for their children to go over.  About half my class forgot their forms at home.  So before school started, there was a mad rush to call parents and have them give verbal permission. One boy didn't want to go, but his parents wanted him to.  (His grandpa passed away somewhat recently.)  Since his parents wanted him to, I made him come along.  He handled it really well.  One of the other 6th graders was making not-nice comments about the girls crying, saying stuff like "faker" and "she doesn't even know him!"  The two of us had a chat about that before lunch. 


Speaking of chats, Mr. E had a chat with the boys in my class about teasing the girls about crushes and who likes who.  They've been going nonstop, sometimes bringing the girls to the point of tears (although the girls sometimes tease them right back).  I'll tell them over and over to knock it off, but it only stops them for a minute or two.  Somehow I think a talk with the principal will stop all their comments... at least, I hope so!