SWANSEA – The Swansea community is mourning the death of a primary school student who died over the holidays.
On Friday, January 2, Swansea Public Schools Superintendent Scott Holcomb sent a letter to family and staff responding to the death of sophomore Mason Stringer.
“It is with a heavy heart that we share the heartbreaking news of the unexpected death of a student. … Our thoughts are with Mason’s family, friends, classmates, teachers and everyone who loved him during this time of profound loss.”
Stringer was a student in Ms. Robinson’s class at Gardner Elementary School, the letter states.
Holcomb’s letter provides guidance and support to school community
“The death of a child touches us in different ways. As we deal with the emotions that come with grief, it can leave us heartbroken and confused,” Holcomb wrote.
January 2, 2025, Gardner Primary School, Swansea.
In the coming days, “additional therapeutic and counseling support” will be provided to staff and students at Elizabeth S. Brown Elementary School, where Gardner and Stringer’s brothers attend, when students return to school.
School counselors, adjustment counselors and other trained professionals will be on hand to “provide care, comfort and a listening ear to any student or staff member in need,” Holcomb wrote.
“We recognize that many members of the school community may be impacted and will provide support to anyone who may need it,” Holcomb wrote in the letter. “We encourage families to contact the school if they believe their child would benefit from additional assistance.”
Families receive resources and materials
Holcomb’s letter lists books and materials that can provide “thoughtful,” “age-appropriate” guidance for coping with the loss of community members through dialogue among families.
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so sada website that provides age-appropriate guidance to help children talk about death, expected grief reactions, and ways to support children through bereavement.
Holcomb’s letter recommended that families use simple, honest and age-appropriate language to talk about the incident and reassure students that “they are safe, loved and cared for.” Feelings of sadness, confusion and even uncertainty are natural.
These conversations will likely continue, with students asking questions, Holcomb wrote.
“Out of respect for the Stringer family’s privacy, we ask that you keep them in your thoughts while respecting their need for space as they grieve,” Holcomb wrote.
No other information related to the death was immediately known.
“We are a caring and connected community. In times like these, our compassion, kindness and willingness to support each other are more important than ever,” Holcomb wrote.
This article originally appeared in the Herald News: Swansea mourns death of Gardner Primary School pupil
