By Joe Johnson
Parents of students attending Winder-Barrow High School Tuesday evening received a shocking email from the school's principal that one of the students had died that afternoon.
Classic City News learned that the student was a male freshman.
In the email Derrick Maxwell explained that the student died from a medical emergency while taking the bus home from school:
"Dear Parent(s)/Guardian,
Earlier this evening we were saddened to receive news of the death of one of our Winder-Barrow High School students.
This afternoon during the bus ride home, the student had had a medical emergency on a school bus. 911 was called. The student received medical attention on-site and was transported to the hospital. Unfortunately, the student did not survive the emergency. Our deepest condolences go out to the family. Counselors and social workers will be on-site at WBHS to support students and staff during this time.
We all react in individual ways to this type of event. Things such as developmental level, our relationships with the people impacted, our previous experiences of loss, and our personal perceptions of death impact how we deal with this event. We should expect, try to understand, and accept a variety of emotions and behaviors. The most important things we should do is be supportive and encourage discussion about the events, our feelings, and what we can do in response to it.
We encourage you as parents and caregivers to read over the following list of ways you can help your student deal with these events and to use them as you feel appropriate.
What Can You Do as a Parent?
1. Be available and willing to discuss the events and honestly share your feelings about them.
2. Allow your student to express fears and feelings. Let him/her question things without being judgmental.
3. Maintain your daily routines as it offers students a sense of security.
4. Be present and watchful of your student in the days and weeks ahead. Watch for any changes in behavior. If you do notice changes, talk them over with a school counselor.
5. Give assurance of love, support, and safety.
6. Be patient. Students may express a variety of emotions within a short period of time.
Please let us know how we can be of assistance to you and your family.
Sincerely,
Derrick Maxwell
Principal