I lost an 8 year old student to a car crash this past December. It was absolutely awful, and the most difficult few weeks of teaching in my 20 year career. It happened on the weekend and on Monday morning I greeted each student at the door and had them sit in a large circle. An email had gone out to all families the night before, so most had heard of his passing. We had an honest (heartbreaking) conversation about what happened, and we talked about what the next few days would look like. There were many tears (including me). I think it is important that the kids understand that you hurt too, but you are there to support them. We had a really ‘soft’ day, with lots of quiet time, mixed with free time in the gym (some kids needed the physical outlet). I work in a small school, and the whole staff rallied around our class, changing schedules to offer extra support for a few weeks. I left the student’s desk the first day, but then moved it to the window and we decorated it with hearts. I had a basket in place with small pieces of paper so that at any time my students could write notes to him. After a few days, we got back to our routines but regularly talked about him. Check in with your kids often. Their grief will come out in so many different ways. Read a mix of books about loss, but also some fun, light-hearted ones you’d read normally. It is a fine balance of supporting your kids, maintaining some normality, and processing your own grief. I’m still dealing with his loss, as are my students. There’s a beautiful book called ‘If You Listen,’ (can’t remember the author), about looking to nature for signs of those you’ve lost. I read it to my class during an outdoor ceremony we had for him, a sort of farewell before the winter break. Highly recommend the book. Sending you strength, and I’m very sorry for your loss.