When something inexplicable happens – especially when it involves children – the healing process is oftentimes slow and difficult.

The Ambassadors Foundation, a Spokane non-profit, has attempted to recover and grow from the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn. by gathering and sending paper hearts that contain messages from students – sometimes offering condolences, others being inspirational and uplifting.

Ambassadors director Ryan Oelrich said Thursday that the organization has received more than 10,500 hearts from all over the world – reaching as far as Australia, China and Costa Rica. The foundation sent them weekly after the tragedy with the help of student volunteers from the Spokane area. They have recently slowed down to monthly packages to the students.

“We’ll keep sending them as long as they come,” Oelrich said, noting that the next shipment of about 600 will be sent off Monday.

An aware student's observation led to the discovery of a handgun, ammunition and a knife in another student's backpack this morning at Fort Colville Elementary School.

A student witnessed a boy in possession of a knife on the school bus this morning and reported it to a staff member nearly immediately after getting off the bus. After removing the suspect from the bus, the staff member searched his bag in an adminstrative room, where they found a knife as well as an unloaded handgun and ammunition, according to Colville School District Superintendent Michael Cashion. 

The fifth-grade boy then implicated another student as being involved with the alleged crime.

"It sounded like they had some kind of plan in mind directed toward some classmates," Cashion said. They did not have an explicit list, but the students identified some potential targets.

With transportation being an issue for many middle and high school students, the Spokane County Library District decided to bring their resources to the children.

The district introduced its “My Library, My Card” program on Thursday. The program will distribute around 23,000 cards to students around the county. The student cards will provide access to online resources such as databases, language instruction and Web tutoring.

“The idea came when we discussed what is the best way to help students with homework,” Jane Baker, communications manager for the district, said.

Planning for the card began over the summer, and a design contest was launched in October. Megan Haisley, of Mead High School, won the contest out of 33 entrants with her sunglasses design.

“The student card is intended to put educational and research resources directly into the students' hands for immediate use,” a news release read.