After sudden student death at PS 78, NYC sends crisis team to campus

PS 78

Students arrive to school at PS 78 in Stapleton, a day after a student died after apparently falling ill during gym class. (Staten Island Advance/Jan Somma-Hammel)

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — After a student at PS 78 died Wednesday after apparently falling ill during gym class, New York City has deployed a crisis team to the school and is providing mental health support to the community.

It was a somber morning during arrival at the Stapleton school — with several administrators outside the main entrance greeting students. Parents could be seen discussing the child’s passing, which was confirmed in a letter to the PS 78 community by Principal Jodi Contento.

“It is with great sadness that I inform you that one of our students passed away today. This is a tragedy for the student’s family, our students, and our school community. Our deepest sympathy and condolences go out to the student’s family and our entire school community,” she wrote. “Please understand that we are respecting the privacy of the student’s family by not sharing the student’s name.”

PS 78

“It is with great sadness that I inform you that one of our students passed away today. This is a tragedy for the student’s family, our students, and our school community," wrote the principal of PS 78 to the school community. (Staten Island Advance/Jan Somma-Hammel)

The city Department of Education (DOE) said it is providing supports — such as counseling and social workers — to both the student’s family and the school during this time of grieving.

Additionally, the DOE’s crisis team is on campus. The team includes the DOE’s School Response Clinicians, licensed clinical social workers who provide care for students in times of immediate crisis or emotional distress. These professionals provide on-site clinical counseling and connect students to long-term care if necessary.

The supports are in place after the student, 10, was taken to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead, one source said.

A second source told the Advance/SILive.com a defibrillator was used in an attempt to save the child.

The child had a pre-existing medical condition, which sources identified as sickle cell anemia.

“There are no words that can relieve the weight of this loss on friends, family and the entire PS 78 community. I know that the memory of this student will live on in the lives that he touched, and that he will be truly missed by all,” said city Schools Chancellor David C. Banks in a statement. “My deepest condolences to everyone hurting from this terrible tragedy, and I know that the educators and staff at PS 78 will be there for their young people during this difficult time.”

PS 78

The city Department of Education is providing mental health support and has deployed a crisis team to the school. (Staten Island Advance/Jan Somma-Hammel)

The DOE also noted that PS 78 has a very strong social-emotional learning culture.

In June 2021, former Schools Chancellor Meisha Porter and former First Lady Chirlane McCray visited PS 78 to immerse themselves in the culture at the school, sharing their feelings and emotions with students. During the visit, a third-grade class participated in a restorative circle, which promotes positive social and emotional behaviors in the school community.

Contento said at the time that PS 78 takes a proactive approach by including social-emotional learning during a block of the school day. She explained she’s seen a positive impact and a big difference in the school community, especially within classrooms where students can share how they are feeling.

For additional resources on how you can support your child through a crisis or traumatic event, you can visit the DOE’s website here.

PS 78

It was a somber day outside of PS 78 on Thursday. (Staten Island Advance/Jan Somma-Hammel)

Common reactions in children after a crisis include: difficulty sleeping and/or nightmares; fears about safety; changes in eating habits; worry over safety of loved ones; poor concentration; fear of being alone; nervous behavior; withdrawal or isolation; irritability; repetitious play; physical complaints; changes in mood; lack of energy, and many more.

Here are some of the things you can do to help your child deal with the impact of a crisis, according to the DOE:

  • Encourage your child to express his or her feelings through talking, drawing and playing.
  • Be attentive and encourage your child to ask questions.
  • Offer support as your child interprets the events.
  • Find out what your child may be thinking and feeling in reaction to the traumatic event.
  • Be direct and give honest information.
  • Reassure your child that you will do everything possible to ensure his or her safety and that other adult authority figures (elected officials, school officials, the police) will do the same.
  • Do not flood your child with too many television images of the tragic event.
  • Acknowledge normal feelings and reactions.
  • Encourage healthy ways to cope.
PS 78

Students arrive to school at PS 78 in Stapleton, a day after a student died after apparently falling ill during gym class. (Staten Island Advance/Jan Somma-Hammel)

   
                  

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