| Subject : | Read the Letter Sent Home with Emerson Elementary Students regarding the H1N1-Related Death of a Student |
| Author : | |
| Posted Date : | 2009/11/02 |
| Nov. 2, 2009 Dear Parents, We regret to inform you about an unfortunate event affecting the Emerson school community. We were notified today that an 11-year-old student from Emerson passed away yesterday. This boy had been hospitalized since Oct. 11. We have shared this information with your child’s class today. District counselors and other support staff are available should students or parents need to talk to them. Please contact the school if you have questions or concerns. As a parent you may want to talk with your child about death. How your child reacts depends on the relationship they had with the student, as well as their age and their prior experience with death. Your child may appear unaffected, be angry or aggressive, be sad or depressed, or may have difficulty sleeping or eating. They may also repeatedly ask questions about the death. We encourage you to listen to your child. If he or she wants to talk, answer questions simply, honestly and be prepared to answer the same questions repeatedly. Our thoughts and prayers are with the student’s family. Sincerely, Mary Ellen Farrelly Principal |