From charles.johns at d214.org Tue Oct 16 11:26:31 2007 From: charles.johns at d214.org (Charles Johns) Date: Tue Oct 16 12:22:22 2007 Subject: [RMHS] RMHS Update Message-ID: Dear Parents: We regret to inform you that Rolling Meadows High School has experienced the death of a student, senior, Megan Baumgartner. As a school community, we are providing crisis support for students throughout the day. We are encouraging students to stay together in the building, providing support for each other with the assistance of school counselors, social workers and psychologist. In addition, The Bridge, a community agency, and counselors from another District 214 high school will be helping our students manage the initial crisis. As parents, we need your support in continuing to monitor your child as he or she grieves the loss of a fellow student. Here are some of the important issues of which you should be aware: 1. While it is a difficult topic to discuss, it is best to be open to your child?s questions, concerns, or thoughts about the death of their friend or fellow classmate. 2. Grief reactions could include periods of shock, denial, having intrusive thoughts or nightmares about the person, rage, and discomfort over vulnerability, and sadness. 3. If you have any concerns about your child?s response to this incident, please seek help. Your child?s counselor and the rest of our Student Services Department, is equipped and ready to provide support. Additionally, here are some community resources, which could provide immediate assistance. The Bridge provides crisis interventions and assessments and has a crisis worker on call. Both hospitals provide free assessments 24 hours a day. The Bridge Youth and Family Services (847) 776-3730 Alexian Brothers Behavior Health Hospital 800-432-5005 Northwest Community Hospital 847-618-1000 I hope this information helps you as a parent. Please keep Megan and her family in your thoughts. Feel free to contact your child?s guidance counselor if you have any questions. The phone number of the Guidance Office is 847.718.5622. Sincerely, Charles Johns _______________________________________________ Charles Johns, Ph.D. Principal Rolling Meadows High School 847.718.5600 Please note that my new email address is: charles.johns@d214.org All e-mail correspondence to and from this address is subject to the Acceptable Use Policies of District 214, which may result in monitoring and disclosure to third parties, including law enforcement. Any views or opinions presented in this e-mail are solely those of the author and might not represent those of Township High School District 214.