The shooting death of a student last year still affects those close to him and those who witnessed it. Now, well into the new school year, poetry teacher Mr. K cannot enter his old classroom and instead teaches through an open window. The school urges him to return, but he cannot bring himself to go in. The student who died was part of Mr. K’s poetry group, winners of last year’s Wordquake National competition. The surviving group members were especially hard hit: Stef, his girlfriend; JT, his best friend; and Kyle, who was also close. The group is now struggling and not mentally ready for the New Year’s contest.
Mr. K, Jack, may struggle the most. He leaves the apartment he shared with his girlfriend and moves in with his gun-enthusiast brother and family. Both brothers suffered abuse from their father, who later killed himself. This living situation fails, so Jack moves in with his mother, who tries to help but seems overprotective and damaged.
Jack’s brother visits the school while Jack stands outside his classroom after hours and tries to give him a gun, believing Jack should be armed in case of another school shooting. Jack wants no part in this and refuses, but his brother tosses the gun into the room as a student arrives. Jack dives through the window to retrieve it, finally stepping into the classroom.
JT seems to be having a lot of trouble getting past his loss; he does something unacceptable at school and is suspended. He now can’t go to the big contest they worked so hard to prepare for. Jack thinks the last thing JT needs is to be alone while he spirals with his PTSD. He picks him up and takes him to the contest. The team competes, and a hopeful tone emerges for the kids and teacher.
This story was created by teachers and directed by Jo Rochelle, who has over 10 years of experience in writing and directing. It’s a moving, sensitive story combining poetry, the timely issue of school shootings, and their effects on those left behind.