Students Return To C.W. Jefferys Carrying Books – And Profound Sorrow

Going back to school on a Monday morning is always tough for students. But for those who attend C.W. Jefferys at Keele and Finch, it was an exercise in courage. The 850 teens who attend the campus haven’t been back to class since Jordan Manners was shot to death on Wednesday. But as they arrived back before the bell in the morning, a new tragedy was weighing on their shoulders – not only was the popular Grade 9 student gone, but two more would also be absent:  the pair charged in his murder.

Ki-Shawn, a friend of the slain boy, has trouble even contemplating going into the building. “It’s going to be hard because I have two classes with Jordan. Real hard and I can’t even walk in there right now. The only question I’m asking here is why? That’s it.”

Jeremiah is just a year older than Jordan. He’s still unable to process the tragedy. “It’s sad to me, I just saw him, I just said hi to him and now he’s gone,” he laments. “A couple of hours later I hear he’s dead, something you’re not used to hearing at school.” The fact two of their own have been implicated in the murder makes an already intolerable situation that much worse. “It’s shocking,” agrees Latoya one of Jordan’s former classmates. “Cause the people in school could be the same people that kill you the next day.”

Two assemblies were held at the school to remember the 15-year-old.  Everywhere there were reminders of the young man who was lost. A memorial has been set up in the front hall. There are several signed books of condolence that will be sent to Jordan ‘s family. But with a month left in the school year, many are wondering how they’ll all get through it. “It’s just hard you know, it’s hard to believe,” Ki-Shawn concludes. “A good friend is gone over nothing,”

The assemblies follow both a candlelight vigil on Thursday and a subdued prom on Friday night. The Board has arranged for grief counsellors to stay on for as long as necessary. “There’s an additional vice principal, child and youth workers, hall monitors, and there’s additional adults in the building so that if students or staff need to have somebody to talk to, they’re there,” explains Gerry Connelly of the Toronto District School Board.
 
A rush has also been put on the installation of security cameras throughout the campus. They were scheduled to be unveiled next month and while most officials don’t believe it would have stopped the murder, it might have led police to the suspects in the case much earlier.