District offers support in wake of student death
MONROE — School officials are rallying to offer support to students in wake of the suicide of a Jockey Hollow Middle School student on Friday.
According to a letter from Jockey Hollow Principal Jack Ceccolini, sent Saturday, an eighth-grader died at home via suicide. Ceccolini said that on Monday, the school extended homeroom periods, during which students would be informed about what happened and the resources available to them.
“This will be a difficult time for the entire Monroe community, but especially for the students at Jockey Hollow,” the letter read. “Counselors from the district and region will be available for our students and school community.”
The letter also mentioned that a guide had been posted on the Monroe Public Schools website called “Resources for Students in Crisis.”
Superintendent of Schools Jack Zamary also sent out a letter, informing families of the “untimely death.”
“This loss is sure to raise many emotions, concerns, and questions for our entire school, especially our students,” the letter read.
Zamary said that Monroe Public Schools has a crisis intervention team “made up of professionals trained to help with the needs of students, parents, and school personnel at difficult times such as this.”
He also mentioned that counselors will also be available at all Monroe schools throughout this week.
“We are saddened by the loss to our school community and will make every effort to help you and your child as you need,” Zamary’s letter read.
There were various posts about the tragedy on social media by Monroe residents throughout the weekend, including pleas for people to wear green on Monday in honor of the student who died.