Mannford Kids Get Ready For Back To School - KTUL.com - Tulsa, Oklahoma - News, Weather & Sports

'Standing in the gap' is the motto at Mannford middle school, has been for years, but this year that gap is a chasm created by the fire.

"Arm around a shoulder, a hug, hand on a shoulder," said Principal Kelly Spradlin, listing off three coping mechanisms added to a school curriculum of caring. A spirit echoed by viewers like you who donated scores of supplies to be dropped off by Channel 8.

"Community outpouring has truly been overwhelming," he said.

And all of it welcome as the list of kids whose houses went up in flames runs 72 students long.

"I've looked at the list and I have quite a few who have lost their homes," said teacher Misty Chestnut. She says school will help by providing routine, food, air conditioning.

"And they're also going to get their minds off what's going on after 3 o'clock," she said.

And should they need to vent before or after school...

"It's sad, it's really, really sad," said one student.

There are plenty of fellow students ready to listen.

"I would say it'll be ok, that God has a plan for you," said another.

"Just say I'm sorry," said 15 year-old Cody.

A school ready to fill the gap, even if that means filling it with silence.

"I had a mentor who told me one time, sometimes when people are hurting the best thing you can do is drink that cup of grief, drink that cup of sorrow with them in silence," said the principal.