Clemente Principal Adela Jorge: "Reaffirm that your child is safe and that your child is loved." Roberto Clemente Academy has lined up extra counselors and psychologists to help students process the loss of one of their second-grade classmates — two days after an 8‑year-old boy died from an
apparently accidental gunshot wound at his home in the Hill.Roberto Clemente Principal Adela Jorge relayed that message to parents on Tuesday as she called families and sent out a letter in regards to Sunday’s tragedy.The 8‑year-old, whom police have yet to identify by name, died Sunday night following a shooting in his family’s third-floor apartment on Dewitt Street. Police are still investigating what happened, and have not yet made any arrests. “It is with great sadness that I am sharing that our Roberto Clemente School community tragically lost a student over the weekend,” Jorge wrote in her letter to parents on Tuesday. “As a school community this is unimaginable. We are working with district staff and community partners to support our students and staff during this tragedy. Our hearts are with the family and friends of this child.”New Haven Public Schools spokesperson Justin Harmon said that, while Jorge reached out to parents Tuesday afternoon, Roberto Clemente school staff were informed of what happened Monday evening “so they could be prepared for conversations with students this morning.”The extra counselors and psychologists on site at Clemente offered students the chance to talk and provided support to staff.See below for Jorge’s letter in full, which was sent out at 2 p.m.March 18 Letter From Roberto Clemente Principal Adela JorgeDear Clemente Families It is with great sadness that I am sharing that our Roberto Clemente School community tragically lost a student over the weekend. As a school community this is unimaginable. We are working with district staff and community partners to support our students and staff during this tragedy. Our hearts are with the family and friends of this child.During times of loss, children respond to death in different ways. We encourage open communication with your child about feelings related to this loss. It is important that children know they are loved and supported as they talk about their feelings. You may want to consider the following general suggestions when addressing death and dying when talking with your child: • Tell the truth. Talk about death vs. “going to sleep.” Explain the situation. • Allow your child to talk about feelings. If this is the first loss your child has experienced, your child may not know how to respond and will be looking for your guidance. • Affirm all expressions. It’s okay to express feelings honestly. Tolerate the expressions rather than dismissing them or discouraging the expression of feelings. • Encourage written expressions such as notes, letters, pictures to the family, etc. • Reaffirm that your child is safe and that your child is loved. • Affirm that your child’s reaction is normal, and you understand the way the child feels. • Watch for signs of distress such as aggression, withdrawal, etc. • Help the children return to as normal a routine as possible. • Allow your child to grieve and support them through this process.We will have a team of counselors, social workers, and psychologists at school to provide emotional support for students who may need grief counseling. If you have special counseling concerns or would like additional support for your child, please call the school on 475 – 220-7600. Again, our deepest sympathies go to the child’s family and we care deeply for all involved. Sincerely, Principal Adela Jorge ...read more read less
