Muir Lake Mourns the Passing of Charlotte DeVita

June 24, 2022 - 

Dear Parents/Guardians and students,

It is with great sadness that we inform you of the death of Charlotte DeVita, a grade 2 student who attended Muir Lake School. Parkland School Division (PSD) staff have shared that Charlotte was kind and creative, was a leader, and a wonderful friend to everyone. She was independent and always ready to explore. Charlotte will be dearly missed by her teachers and classmates. Her beautiful spirit will always be remembered.

Condolences on behalf of Muir Lake School and Parkland School Division have been sent to the family. They have been assured that our thoughts and prayers are with them now and in the coming days and weeks. 

PSD`s Trauma Response Team members will be available to Muir Lake School to assist student and staff’s emotional health and well-being for as long as they are needed.

We are aware that students process loss in different ways, and we would encourage you to talk and listen to your children to assist them in understanding this loss. Many factors influence our reaction to death: who, how, or why it happened, the support system available, age, personality, and especially previous loss experience. Your child may or may not become distraught as a result of learning about this tragedy.  For your information, we have included some information which provides suggestions for helping children grieve.

Parents/Guardians

You can provide valuable assistance to your children during this time.  Here are some ideas to consider when talking about this sensitive topic:

• Be attentive to your child when they have questions and want to talk.
• Listen to your child’s feelings and accept them, even if they are different from yours.
• Give honest, simple, brief answers.
• Make sure that your child understands your answers and the meaning that you intend.
• Use words or phrases that won’t confuse your child or make the world more frightening.   For example:  using the word ‘sleep’ for death can cause a child to be afraid of going to bed.
• Create opportunities for your children to talk with each other about what happened and how they are feeling.
• Be especially loving and supporting; more than anyone else, your child needs you at this time.
   

Above all, listen to your children and let them know that their feelings are normal and acceptable.

If you have any concerns regarding your child, please do not hesitate to contact the school. 

Sincerely,

Mr. Andy Fuñe, Principal 
Muir Lake School