LA CROSSE, Wisconsin (WXOW) - Teachers play a big role in their students' lives. Especially at the Elementary level, where kids spend nearly an entire day with one teacher. So when a long time West Salem Librarian went on medical leave, the kids took it hard. But they've found a way to cope and show Ms. Hugo how much she's missed.
How do you measure the bond between a teacher and her students?
Fourth grader Taylor Sackett says:"Its hard to explain."
In West Salem; it's elementary.
Josie says:"Yeah' she's one of the most fun teachers in school."
Each of these paper hearts was carefully crafted for long time, librarian Lisa Hugo. I'm guessing there's about 1,000. Ms. Hugo is very sick. So sick, she stopped coming to school in November.
Fourth grader Josie Hanson says: "They just told us she was out on medical leave and they wouldn't tell us much. They send notes home but they don't really tell us what's going on."
Her students miss her dearly.
Fourth grader Julia Stoleson says: "It feels a little empty without her."
To help the kids and her co-workers cope, fellow librarian Mary Hundt asked each student to cut and color a heart in Ms. Hugo's honor.
Librarian Mary Hundt says:"It's just beautiful."
But Mary never, ever , expected this.
"You know that you touch a lot of different lives, but you never know the extent of that and how deep that flows. And; this type of thing is a message that says you have mattered in my life. You have meant something to me."
If you're wondering just how many hearts for Hugo there are, no one has counted.
"That's a good question. It might be a good math problem."
The bond between Ms. Hugo and her students can't be measured.
Fourth grader Sara Ziegler says:"It just really symbolizes all of our love."
It's something you feel.
Ms. Hugo hasn't been feeling well enough to go to school to see the hearts, so her co-workers put together a video for her.
Ms. Hugo's parents told her co-workers the hearts have helped her get through some rough days.
