What do you say to kids in eighth grade after their friend is shot and killed? This spring at the Timilty Middle School in Roxbury, the teachers faced this situation after Jaewon Martin's murder. Unfortunately, this wasn't the first time they'd had to talk to their students about how being a good kid, staying away from trouble, and working for a bright future aren't enough to protect you from urban street violence. Only a few short years ago, Steven Odom, another good kid who was in eighth grade at the time, died the same way.

The teachers at Timilty are dedicated to their students. They've put together a community where each kid is encouraged and expected to do their best and succeed. These teachers give the students everything they've got, and then they go out into the wider community and get more people involved. The Mayor of Boston is a regular visitor, and hundreds of other people get matched up as pen pals for the students. This year, when the pen pals visited the school, they could see peace posters and other artwork from the students. In the hallway, there was a memorial with candles, doves, and four messages that the school wanted the students to hear.

I've asked some humble snails to pass the message along. But in addition to the literal messages, I hope all the kids also hear the implicit message that people care what happens to them, and want them to grow up safe and happy.