Loss In Our Community

April 20^th, 2016

Dear Parents,

It is with great sadness that I write to inform you that Bob Galante, Lowell Extended Day Program coordinator, has passed away. Bob was a loved and valued member of the Lowell school community as well as the Watertown community.  Children may be aware of this through hearing about it from their own families or community members.  If your child is enrolled in LEDP, there will be a separate letter coming to you shortly from Beth Sahakian, community education director.

Sudden death is extremely difficult for all. It is important for us to recognize this and offer assistance to children, families, and staff. Our guidance counselors, Veronica Knight and Hope Notaro, will be providing parent meetings on how to talk and work with your children around death. These meetings will be offered at the following dates and times:

• Monday April 25th 1:30PM
• Monday April 25th 5:30PM
• Thursday April 28th 4:00PM
• Friday April 29th 8:30AM

The Lowell will also be open this Friday, April 22nd from 9-11 for children and families to come and work with Lowell student support staff and staff from The Academy of Physical and Social Development. Parents and children can come by anytime between 9 and 11 am.

There are some resources to help children and families deal with the sudden death. These can be found on the Lowell guidance blog: http://lowellguidance.blogspot.com/2014/02/resources-for-addressing-grief-and-loss.html

This is a tremendous loss for the Watertown and Lowell community. I know our strength will prevail as we support each other through this difficult time.

Please feel free to contact me with any questions.

Sincerely,

Elizabeth Kaplan

Principal