A Message to the UHS Community
Dear UHS Community:
I am sharing a quick follow-up following the Superintendent's message sent this morning, with some resources and updates for our staff and families.
Obviously, today's news has an effect on all of us, as we navigate the difficult circumstances of losing a student. Our thoughts and deepest sympathies go out to the student's family, loved ones, and friends as they navigate this painful loss, and our community, as a school and town alike, will do its best to be cohesive and strong in its resolve.
Giving our school community space to express their emotions during this time is crucial. In the coming days, we encourage parents and guardians to listen patiently and closely monitor how their children are coping. We are sharing some resources below for families on how to have these conversations with students. Please remember that our team is available to assist you and your family. Do not hesitate to contact us if you need extra guidance or have concerns about your child's well-being.
In addition, support personnel and counselors will be on-site at the high school starting tomorrow, October 5, to assist students and staff. We also recognize that some students process grief in different ways and may be more comfortable seeking out other trusted adults, which we can certainly understand. Students who are in need of support should report to the school counseling office at any time during the day, and our teachers have been apprised of the procedure for doing so. This will allow us to have a consistent space for students to process, though we will deploy counselors to individual classrooms as needed.
Out of respect for the situation, the Homecoming Dance planned for this week is postponed, and we may be making adjustments to the athletic schedule as well. We will communicate those postponements and rescheduled dates as soon as possible.
Finally, I share my gratitude and appreciation for the communication and support from a variety of spaces, including our immediate communication with Uxbridge Police and First Responders on Saturday night, the quick connection with our school-based crisis team early today, the preparation of our staff throughout Sunday in anticipation of Monday, and the coordination of outside supports that will allow us to best support the community this week. While these are systems we never hope to mobilize, they are in place for a reason, and we were hard at work doing so well in advance of any announcements.
We appreciate your continued support and care. Thank you for your empathy, discretion, and thoughtfulness during this challenging time.
Sincerely,
Dr. Rubin
Resources for Coping with Grief
The Grieving Process - 4 min video by Wellcast. Great summary and introduction for students.
Now What? Tips for Teens Who Are Grieving - tipsheet for teens navigating feelings of grief, and 10 ways to cope.
9 Ways Grief Shows Up in the Body - article & video by Emma McAdam, LMFT, Therapy in a Nutshell
A Classmate Has Died - How Do I Talk About It With My Child - Short resource from Psychology Today that gives some insight on how to talk to children about these topics
Community Links for crisis or ongoing support:
988 Lifeline – connect with a Crisis Counselor 24/7. Chat online or call/text “988”
Riverside Community Care - Milford, MA
Emergency Services - clinicians available 24/7 - 800-294-4665
Outpatient Therapy - 508-529-7000
MIIA Employee Assistance Program - 800-451-1834
Employees receive 3 confidential in person or phone counseling sessions
Available to employees, their dependents, and household members 24/7
GriefShare - find local grief support groups and resources
Dougy Center: The National Grief Center for Children & Families
– offers an extensive library of support tips, activities, and education