District: NCHS student died Saturday night

According to district authorities, a 12th-grader at New Canaan High School died Saturday evening.

The deceased was a “strong student, an excellent athlete, a kind young man and a wonderful friend, and he will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved him,” the school board said in an email to the NCHS community.

“Such an unimaginable loss is difficult to process and we want to ensure our students, staff and families have access to the support they need during this difficult time,” Dr. Bryan Luizzi said in the email.

Classes at the high school will begin Monday with a two-hour delay, he said (details here). Buses will run at regular times and classes will begin at 10 a.m., allowing friends of the deceased time to “gather in mutual support and love and, if desired, speak with our dedicated counselors and staff,” Luizzi said.

NCHS Principal Bill Egan also sent a message to NCHS students, urging them to talk to their parents, himself or someone else.[i]”If the tragic news we received today leaves you feeling like you need to talk to someone.”

“Tomorrow we will have counselors, support staff and comfort dogs available at school to provide support,” Egan said. “We will continue to offer this support in the coming days. If you or a friend need to talk, want to be heard or just need someone to be there for you, please come directly to the Wagner Room tomorrow. If you arrive before school starts, please go to the counseling suite. NCHS family, we love and care for each of you. We are here for you, so please don't hesitate to visit. Remember to take care of yourselves and take care of each other.”

Colleen Prostor, Managing Director of New Canaan CARES– a non-profit organization that Promoting the Health and Well-Being of Youth and Families – also sent out an email offering people in the New Canaan community options for getting help in a crisis, including:

• 988 Lifeline – Call 988, send an SMS to 988 or Online chat. If you are in immediate danger, call 911.
• Children in crisis– Confidential 24-hour hotline (203) 327-5437 (KIDS).
• New program for urgent assessment of Canaan– Free mental health assessment and support for New Canaan residents (children, teens and adults), call (866) 542-4455 and ask about the Urgent Assessment Program.
• CT Infoline-211– for confidential hotline and cell phone – comes to your home – 24/7 crisis intervention services. Dial 211 from any phone.

“Our love and prayers go out to the family, friends and community members who mourn the loss of a valued member of the New Canaan community,” Prostor said in the email.

In his email, which mentioned the deceased by name, the superintendent wrote that his heart broke for the young man, “his family and all who knew and loved him.”

“Let us think of them together, pray for them and support each other during this difficult time,” Luizzi said in the email.

Check out the New Canaan CARES Resource Page for ways to talk to your children about death, grief and loss.