A fourth grade girl at West Main Elementary School in Ravenna died May 7, and the Ravenna school district is offering resources to students who may need support.
Several parents on social media reported receiving an email from the district, offering to connect students with counseling if needed.
The email, posted in the Facebook group Portage County and Neighbors on May 8, stated that West Main learned that one of its students died the previous evening. Superintendent Ben Ribelin said the student was a girl.
“We wanted our families to know in case your child comes home and says they have heard about this incident,” the post stated.
The Portage County Crisis team was dispatched to the school to support students, and would return again on May 9, the email stated.
“The Crisis Team has activities that will help students cope with what they are feeling and are available to talk,” the email stated, adding that parents who would like the team to talk to their student should make the request through the school building that the child attends.
“We are all affected when something happens to a member of our school community,” the email stated. “Please ask for help if your child is having a difficult time. Our thoughts are with this student’s family and friends.”
Wayne Enders, administrator of the Portage County Coroner’s Office, said a child was transported by helicopter to an area hospital, and he wasn’t sure what happened from there. The Summit County Medical Examiner’s office said the case is under investigation and did not provide details.
This article originally appeared on Record-Courier: Ravenna schools offer counseling after death of 4th grade girl
Reporting by Diane Smith, Ravenna Record-Courier / Record-Courier
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