Another Heartache

One of my duties as a transponster is to teach PE. Each PE class consists of three divisions, one of each grade, and although I'm in charge of teaching one division (Gr. 7), I get to see all the other students in the other divisions.

During such PE times, I got to know a grade 8 girl whom I will call K. K came to our school in early October and because I was the overseer of several students on adapted/modified programs, I was invited to a meeting that concerned K. K was coming to us with more luggage than just her backpack. Her file was 12 inches thick, full of documents from several agencies, including government agencies. What a troubled history she has. After having a half hour meeting about her (she wasn't even there), our team concluded that this girl would require a ton of behavioural and educational support.

When we finally met K, we were surprised to see a smiling girl with a slight frame. This was the girl responsible for all those reports of behavioural issues? As we got to know her, we built a sort of protective shield around her. As she got to know us, she began to trust more adults. She was not the manipulative sort either; we've met those kinds before and we know how they tug at heart strings to get what they want. But, K was different. What she goes through nearly every day is just heartbreaking and for confidential reasons I will not post them. But, every time I see K in PE, my heart fills with warmth for her and if I don't see her, I worry that something bad has happened to her.

One day, she came to school crying. Something major had happened (is still happening, we're waiting for more reports to come to the school) at home that day and she asked to speak to our Grade 8 counselor, the Grade 8 Educational Assistant, and me privately. At the end of it, I was in tears. Then, she exclaimed that all she wanted was to live in a safe house. I wished that I could take her home because I knew I would keep her safe and love her as if she were my own child.

It's kids like K who may find living on the streets preferable to living at home. There are so many people and agencies who are involved with supporting a child who comes from a harsh background. But I think what all this boils down to is being in a real home with a family that will love unconditionally. Everyone has the right to feel like s/he belongs somewhere. I hope K, and others like her, will one day find the safe home she yearns for so much.