Important Message from Acting Superintendent

January 20, 2023

Dear Parents, Guardians and Staff, 

It is with great sadness and a very heavy heart that I inform you of the tragic loss of Durgee Jr. High School 9th grade student Ava Wood.

The district’s Crisis Response Team is providing support and counseling to students and staff as we share this news. They will continue to provide support and counseling throughout the foreseeable future. It’s important to allow children to talk about their grief experiences and what they need during this tragic time. Counselors urge you to listen to your child’s concerns and questions. After communicating this difficult news to your child, if you feel that they need additional support, our counselors will be available to provide you with resources and strategies. Please call or email your school’s principal.

We are a close-knit school community and our hearts are broken by this tragedy. Our thoughts are with Ava’s family and friends during this extremely difficult time. 

Sincerely,

Joseph M. DeBarbieri, Acting Superintendent of Schools