N. P. Elementary officials commended
Parents, staff helped students cope with death of first- grader last week.
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NETHER PROVIDENCE — As students, parents and staff continue to grapple with the recent death of a firstgrader who attended Nether Providence Elementary School, a combination of efforts has provided vital support, officials said.
“In the face of this tragedy, we applaud and we commend the courage and the spirit of caring that has come forth throughout the NPE school community and, in fact, throughout the entire school district,” WallingfordSwarthmore Schools Superintendent Richard Noonan said at a Nov. 12 school board meeting.
Tyreece Charlow, 6, was allegedly beaten by his uncle with belts and subsequently died as a result. The uncle, Paul M. Adams Jr., has been arrested and charged with first- degree murder.
In particular, Noonan cited the actions of Nether Providence Elementary’s principal, Al Heinle, in mustering a response. Not long after youngster’s death became known, Heinle called together the school’s crisis management team and reached out to area mental health professionals for assistance.
Anyone at the school who wanted or needed to discuss the tragedy with a counselor had the opportunity to do so.
The superintendent also hailed the work of the school’s parent- teacher organization, which created the Tyreece Charlow Memorial Fund. In about a week’s time, more than $ 8,000 was raised, a portion of which will go to help defray the cost of funeral services for the youth.
A candlelight vigil to remember Tyreece was held in the school’s parking lot last Friday night.
Board President Vincent Marriott likewise praised the way the school community had come together in the wake of the tragedy, and he thanked Heinle for demonstrating “compassion, sensitivity and leadership.”
During the Nether Providence Board of Commissioners’ meeting on Nov. 8, a moment of silence was held in memory of the youngster.
“It’s been a difficult time for everyone,” said Commissioner Larry Baker, who represents the section of the township where Tyreece lived.
Another commissioner, Matthew Sullivan, said that as a father of a first- grader at the school, he was appreciative of the district’s handling of the situation.
Noonan, who was on hand at the meeting for a discussion of plans to renovate and expand Nether Providence Elementary, said Police Chief Thomas Flannery had been instrumental in keeping district officials aware of developments involving the case.