Letter to the editor: May 9, 2007

Editor:

A letter of gratitude to the principal, staff, and teachers at Happy Valley Elementary school.

A few short weeks ago, our community was shocked and saddened by a horrible fire that killed among others, an 8th-grade student enrolled at our school.

Shock and sadness turned to horror when the details of not an accident but murder were learned.

The staff, teachers, and especially our principal Mr. Steve Westaby, leaped into immediate action for the good of their students... our children.

At school, gathering spots were set up for kids to meet with teachers, counselors, or parents to talk. Teachers worked with and were on the lookout for upset or confused children, offering much needed support and counseling.

Phone calls were made to parents, letters were sent home, much needed communication lines were open.

Mr. Westaby brought in individuals such as Joe Vasquez from the local fire department and Cliff Blankenship from the Sheriff’s department, who met with and spoke to our kids, calming fears and anxiety.

Children were given the much-needed opportunity to grieve, cry, laugh, talk to each other and make banners to remember their much loved classmate.

The hurt is still there. We may most likely never forget what has happened, but the healing has begun for our students.

As a parent of two children enrolled at Happy Valley Elementary, I would like to take the time out to personally thank our principal Mr. Steve Westaby and our teachers and staff at Happy Valley Elementary.

Thank you so very much, and may God bless you.

Sincerely,

Coleen Wogoman

Happy Valley