A Philadelphia middle school grieved along with one if its teachers after the educator’s uncle was gunned down during the attack on New York City Police over the weekend.
Cook-Wissahickon School literacy teacher Jose Ramos wasn’t in school this week as he mourned with his family over the loss of NYPD Officer Rafael Ramos. New York Police said Ismaaiyl Brinsley gunned down Officer Ramos and his partner Officer Wenjian Liu in Brooklyn Saturday.
On Tuesday, Jose Ramos’ Roxborough school kept the beloved 7th and 8th grade teacher in their thoughts as they prepared to go on holiday break.
"Since his nephew's passing, (Jose Ramos) has been up in New York spending time with his family,” said principal Melanie Lewin. ”Our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family right now.
"He is very involved with our students. .. He's very well-respected, very well-liked. And he's a real special member of our staff."
Ramos’ young students learned of their teacher’s tragic connection to the gunned down officer earlier this week.
"The students (in 7th and 8th grade) were all told together by one of the other middle school teachers,” said Lewin. “I think it really hit home that this is not something just over there. This is very personal and has affected them in that way."
Lewin said the shooting ties in, unfortunately, with the students’ learning.
"Many of our middle school students certainly have been talking about it because one of the things that they do in both 7th and 8th grade is they pick a specific issue to focus on as part of an interdisciplinary project,” said Lewin. “We also have 'Need in Deed,' here. So one of the things that this ties in, unfortunately directly, with is gun control."
