200 Students, Parents Attend Grief Counseling Session
Posted on: Tuesday, 20 June 2006, 03:00 CDT
By Amanda O'Toole, The Wichita Eagle, Kan.
Jun. 20--More than 200 students and parents met Monday at Allison Middle School to remember 14-year-old Chelsea Brooks, a recent eighth-grade graduate who was found in a shallow grave last week.
Student response at the grief counseling session was greater than Liz McGinness usually sees when she talks to students about a classmates' death.
"I think it's partly a reflection of the community Allison has," said McGinness, who is a member of the Wichita public schools' crisis team. "There's been even more shock and a ripple effect than what we'd see under normal circumstances because she was murdered, pregnant and a young girl with so much promise."
She said the response at the school to the death was "handled in a unique and beautiful way."
The school provided paper and drawing material so students could make cards or write letters to Chelsea's family.
Principal Debbie Laudermilk plans to deliver them to Chelsea's family later this week.
"I think one of the things that will be precious to the family are the cards and notes that the kids made, because they will show them in a very real way how important Chelsea was in their lives," McGinness said. "I think ultimately what parents want to know is that their child will be remembered."
Some students shared pictures, others shared stories, some wore T-shirts with Chelsea's photograph on them, Laudermilk said.
About 35 Allison staff members were at the school and talked with students about their emotions, telling them it is OK to be angry.
"I think it's an important lesson on how we get through awful life events," McGinness said. "What was good about today, it showed kids it's OK to come together and cry. As adults, we can model for kids how to handle negative emotions."
The district will provide counseling for students at Chelsea's funeral, which has not been announced.
Reach Amanda O'Toole at 316-268-6357 or aotoole@wichitaeagle.com [mailto:aotoole@wichitaeagle.com].
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Copyright (c) 2006, The Wichita Eagle, Kan.
Distributed by Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News.
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Source: The Wichita Eagle (Wichita, Kan.)
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