Today was a tough day for my school district. It was a tougher day for the campus where my wife is a first grade teacher. Each year our 5th graders journey some distance for overnight camps as part of our district’s broader curriculum. On these excursions we recruit parent volunteers to assist and also provide our students with some familiar comforts. We had a tragedy involving a parent couple enroute to chaperoning earlier today.
Our district communication response was general and vague, but I understand the constraints these types of situations present. We want to be as transparent as possible while abiding by the rules that we are obligated to adhere to.
So let me take you behind the scenes a bit; as much as I can. We had a tragedy and we’ll leave it at that – it involved my teacher wife’s school and it involved my teacher wife’s students; so now I’m more involved. We’re all just reeling and trying to get clarity around the news. I was offsite, out of city, when my phone started to blow up so I stepped away from my conference and made the hotel room my own personal headquarters. After the customary calls to those I would call in my role I called a dear friend and asked he drop everything and go onsite – he did. I also reached out to my pastor for support as they have adopted this particular school and provide ongoing welcome support throughout the year.
In the end, we have three beautiful children going home to a completely different reality. It’s certainly not fair and it weighs on everyone involved, but I’d like to believe our community is strong enough to step in. We will continue to lend the “what can I do” attitude. As I was calling/texting/harassing the campus principal today and concerned about her but also my wife, a principal colleague responded and said she was unavailable but he was by her side. I texted him I was concerned about my wife’s reaction and he said the whole first grade team was crushed and taking it hard; I appreciated his candor. He’s a great principal and just a better than great dude by showing up to lend support. It’s a scary world sometimes and I gave up ten years ago trying to make sense of it all but I’m uplifted each day by the belief we’re generally in this together. Tonight will be long and tomorrow longer, but I know we have the right compassionate leaders ready to respond accordingly.
What if? Why Not? 
Sometimes there are no words to express the depth of loss and sadness we feel when faced with a tragedy like today. But, even though the expression never fully captures the raw emotion, there is comfort in sharing it with others. Now more than ever I am thankful for the community of love and support that surrounds each of us and persists despite devastating circumstances. Praying we all find solace in knowing even through unspeakable loss we have each other.
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It has taken me a good amount of time to actually process this news tonight. It feels like my heart fell out of my chest and I had to remember to breathe for a few minutes. Through my shock, the one constant that I am sure of is that when these children are grown, they will forever look back on the moment that completely changed the trajectory of their very young lives and remember that it was a team of angels, disguised as teachers who were there to pick them up and help them learn how to breathe again. Caldwell’s staff of angels are in my prayers tonight, and every night as they wrap their arms around each other and these children. God bless them.
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I am deeply saddened to hear this news. I will keep these children, the Caldwell staff, and everyone else this tragedy impacts in my prayers!
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Why God
Do people have to die?
A daughter or a son
Sudden and so young
Long before their time?
Why God?
The lyrics above are the opening words to the popular Christian song by Austin French.
In light of today’s tragedy, we can add the word Dad, to this question. I can only imagine several of our colleagues, your wife included are asking this same question. How is this family going to make it? Heck how will this school community make it?
Thanks for sharing this and allowing your words to express the pain you, us. and an entire school community is feeling and must face head on tomorrow and forever.
We of course don’t have an answer, to the question so maybe our goal should be to commit to be there for each other.
Life is too precious to do anything less.
Thanks for sharing and especially caring.
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With a heavy heart, how can I help?
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Beautifully written, Geoff! So tragic! I heard the news here in Tennessee from a dear friend in McKinney. She knew that after over 20 years of taking 5th graders to camp that it would hit me hard. Heartbroken for Kelly, Heather, and the entire Caldwell family! Prayers for this family and all involved!
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I am not even sure I can find the words to express how saddened I was to hear this tragic news yesterday. I want to be the village for this family during their time of need.
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