The mood is sombre at St. Elizabeth Catholic School in Wallaceburg today, as they deal with the sudden death of one of their students.
Dan Parr, director of education for the St. Clair Catholic District School Board, told the Sydenham Current that yesterday afternoon (April 5) the staff at St. Elizabeth Catholic School assisted a student who was experiencing a medical issue.
“911 was called and the student was taken to the hospital and tragically the student passed away a short time later,” Parr said.
The St. Clair Catholic District School Board will only be releasing the boy’s name within the walls of St. Elizabeth, Parr said.
“I know that this young man will be remembered by the St. Elizabeth school community as a caring and a very faithful boy, who loved life and he loved his family. The school community and the entire St. Clair Catholic District School Board is deeply saddened by this tragic loss.”
Parr said the Catholic Compassionate Care team of the School Board has been deployed to the school to support the students and staff.
“They are there now with the students and staff, supporting them through this grief,” he said.
“As well, the Parish Pastoral team at Holy Redeemer Parish Cluster here in Wallaceburg is assisting with support to staff and students through this tragedy. That team of support will be available to the school as long as is needed.”
Parr said the support team in place is a “board-wide team of educators and of social workers, our chaplaincy leader and of our mental health leader.
“They have been well-trained to deal with assisting students through tragedy and through loss. They are sent throughout the board, they go to whatever site is necessary in order to help the school community.”
A communication to the parents will be sent by the school principal today, Parr said.
“Parents who become aware that their children might be exhibiting an unusual degree of anxiety over this information, we ask them to feel free to contact the school teacher or the school principal immediately, so we can put some supports in place,” he said.
We’ll provide more information as it becomes available.
– Photo: The flag flies at half-mast at St. Elizabeth Catholic School in Wallaceburg on Wednesday, April 6 after the death of one of their students on Tuesday.
