Chain links of compassion: Students find new way to cope with Florida shooting - Gainesville Times

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Chain links of compassion: Students find new way to cope with Florida shooting

West Hall Middle class writes names of 17 people each would miss at their school

West Hall Middle School teacher Jessica Catrett listens to her classroom during a discussion in Oakwood, on Thursday, March 8, 2018. Catrett had her students write down the names of 17 people in the school, something nice about them and how the students would feel if that person were killed in a shooting. The project has resonated across the school with more classes planning to add to the paper chain of names. - photo by David Barnes

03112018 WALKOUTS 06.jpg — West Hall Middle School teacher Jessica Catrett listens to her classroom during a discussion in Oakwood, on Thursday, March 8, 2018. Catrett had her students write down the names of 17 people in the school, something nice about them and how the students would feel if that person were killed in a shooting. The project has resonated across the school with more classes planning to add to the paper chain of names. - photo by David Barnes

Teacher Jessica Catrett was searching for a way for her eighth-grade students to express their concerns about gun violence that would be different and safer than this week’s planned nationwide walkout.