The same as usual

Things haven't changed much since I got back to school. Here is a sample of some conversations I had with my students today. Unfortunately, these topics are all too common.

"Ms. Childz, my uncle was killed a few days ago when someone knocked half his head in with a brick."

"I didn't like New Year's Eve very much cuz there was so much shooting".

I thoughtlessly told the students to use some new vocabulary words with their mamas at home. (I usually just use the word family). One student shouted out,
"What if you can't say 'em to your mama cuz she's in jail?".

Good question.