[pontiacdriver]

So I posted before that I have a student whose father is on his last days of battling cancer. I was thinking if it is appropriate to send a letter home to the parents of the other kids in class when the time does come to let them know and to show their support.

Has anyone done this before? I am also still looking for ideas on something I could do for the family to show them I care and can support them in anyway that I can.

I look forward to your thoughts and ideas.

[bookgeek59]

I am sorry your student and your school family is facing this loss. However, I don't think it's your place to share this news with the class and all the parents.

I would be sure that when the child's parent passes you should allow the students to sign a card and send it to the family. Once word gets out to the community at large, you can then step in with other teachers/staff to help this family.

[mooba1]

I second bookgeek's thoughts on this. While I see your concern, I think this is a private matter for the family. Once the father passes, then it would be a very nice gesture for the kids to all sign or make a card or cards for their classmate. I'm sorry that you have to deal with this, and that your student has to go through with this. How wonderful that this student has such a kind and caring teacher.

[garnet]

I too don't feel it is your place to do this. You need to consider this family's privacy. Word will get out and those that want to show their concern and support will.

we've had it happen where the principal sent our a school letter and those that wanted to donate for a tree in that person's name did.

[iluvmy3kids]

Two years ago I went through this same experience. I did not send anything home to the other families because I thought I would be stepping over my boundries. Everyone has to do what they think is the best for their situation. I just wasn't comfortable with it. My students made cards for their classmate and friend in hopes that the support might help a little. I did attend the funeral with a few other teachers that had previously had my student or her brother in their class.

[2bateacher]

I also had this happen in my class a couple years ago. When my student's mother was finally taken by cancer, I bought a beautiful book (I am having a brain freeze)and had my students sign it. We gave it to the the boy in our class. My student was very touched by this and still has the book in his room after 2 years. He said sometimes he just "sits and reads it again and thinks of his mom!"