My memories of Kurt are precious things to me that I will always want to keep and hold dear. They are of a very bright, very likable little boy with a lot of curiosity and a lot of friends. He was one of those first graders that seem very aware of what is happening around them and are constantly evaluating and thinking about things. He figured out our classroom routines very quickly, and he did a great job of reminding me of things I had earlier told the class we were going to do. He always did it in a very nice way, saying things like, "Miss LaBoone, don't you remember that you wanted us to..." I keep track of when the class is all behaving nicely or working very hard by putting good behavior points on the chalkboard. He was a great one for noticing when I was saying something nice about the class, and then he would slip out of his spot and come up to me and quietly say, "Miss LaBoone, don't you think that deserves a point?" I had to keep myself from chuckling at his very sincere, very effective strategy to get the class more points. Of course, what else could I say but, "Yes, Kurt, I think you are very right. The class does deserve a point. Good idea."
Kurt really seemed to like to, and to want to learn. He often raised his hand to volunteer answers or to take a turn in some activities the class was engaged in. It was often so obvious to me that he really wanted his turn, because, without leaving his seat, he somehow looked like he was putting his whole body into raising his hand. His face would look so intense and he would keep his eyes right on me. It was hard not to call on a kid who wanted to be called on so badly. I remember several limes feeling sorry that I couldn't call on him more and still be fair to the others. When he was called on, he nearly always had the correct answer or an answer that added to our discussion. It was clear to me that he was a sharp boy, and that he had been read to, taken places, and talked with at home. He had very good background knowledge for a first grader. Kurt was a social little boy who liked to play and talk with the other children. He had lots of little buddies and the other children really seemed to like him, girls as well as boys. Although after the first week, I didn't go out on the playground with them, I often overheard Kurt and his friends talking about what they were going to do or had done. He seemed to be a kid who was positive way is one of the most satisfying things about being a teacher. Each time he responded positively to me or to something that we were doing, he was helping to make my day a little more fun and satisfying. What a precious gift he gave to me!
I will always be so glad that his last day in school with us was such a good one for him. He was so happy that his name had finally been drawn out of the tin can, and that he got to take the "Surprises Suitcase'' home to fill with his favorite things. It was his turn to be the leader that day, and he got to do all the little fun jobs that go with it. He got to put the attendance slip out in the hall, he got to pick friends to pass out papers, he got to hand out the straws and napkins at milk break, he got to erase the chalkboard, he got to turn out the lights when I used the overhead, he got to put the new calendar symbol on the calendar, hold the flag for the pledge, lead the class in figuring out words on the chalkboard that we were learning to sound out, use the pointer while the class read a poem off of a chart, and always be the first one in line to everything, including lunch! To top it all on, he was working very hard to have a day without even a warning for his behavior. All during the day he would say to me, "Miss LaBoone, I don't even have a warning today!" And I was so happy to keep saying, "I notice that. Keep up the great work!" He was really working hard to get to wear one of the Halloween pins or rings that I let people wear the day after a particularly good day, I think, and I hope, that he knew that he deserved it and that I was going to pick him the next day. More then anything, I wish he could have had the fun of wearing that jewelry and showing his favorite things from the surprises suitcase. But knowing how bright he was and what a thinker he was, I know that he was aware that the fun was coming and I am sure he enjoyed just the anticipation of it. His obvious pleasure in the fun of being leader and his pride in himself for his great behavior are two more precious gifts that he gave me.
To his classmates, he also gave the precious gift of friendship. Although I don't think many of them fully understand what his death means, they were filled with sadness at the thought of the terrible thing that had happened to their buddy. We talked about how lucky we were that we got to know him better than anyone else in the school, and how lucky we were to have had him as our friend even though it was for too short of a time. We talked about how we would be feeling sad for a long time, but that we would have all of our happy memories of him to keep thinking and talking about. The children really wanted to talk about all of he things they liked to do with Kurt and all of the things they remember him doing and saying in class and on the playground. I was very touched by the many things that they brought up and wanted to tell about. They remembered so many details of our life together with him, that it was clear Kurt had been very important to them individually and to our class as a group. They were very eager to take on the suggestion of drawing one of their memories of him, and they each chose something that was special to them to show. We know that we will miss him very much, but that we will continue to think about, talk about, and celebrate the fact that we were very lucky to have had him with us in our class. We loved him.
Kathy LaBoone October 17, 1996
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