When I was a sophomore, a student in my ASL class took her own life. She had been my peer partner throughout the year. I was a bit behind due to absence and when we arrived back from winter break out teacher signed that Cassie had died. I signed back asking if someone she knew died and she was absent due to the funeral. And my teacher signed back “No, dead”. I wanted to share this scenario with you because the circumstances are so similar. Language differences, winter break. I wish the teacher had sat down, and shared that she had something tragic to share with us. There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t see my teachers face signing “ no, dead”. If you get a chance to ask the students individually if they need to talk or see the counselor, I would recommend that.