School response to deaths exemplifies respectful grieving
February 29, 2008
By: HiLite Staff
This February marks the second death of a Carmel high school student in the ’07-’08 school year. The tragic deaths of freshman Shaail Abbas in December and more recently sophomore Michael Schenkel this last Monday have made this winter a difficult one for the Carmel community. The shock and grief accompanied with losing a student so suddenly has had an obvious effect on the student body. As students grieve those that have departed, they must take time to commend the faculty and administration for reacting to these deaths in an appropriate and timely manner.
On Dec. 15, 2007, Shaail Abbas was involved in an accident on 141st and Towne Road after a severe ice storm. Abbas, along with her two sisters and mother, drowned in a retention pond next to the road. Their sudden and unexpected deaths rocked the Carmel community and the whole Indianapolis area. In response to the deaths, Principal John Williams responded the Monday after the incident with a few words in respect for Abbas. In addition, grief counseling was available throughout the day and teachers were prudent in allowing grieving students to visit counselors. The counseling department was more than prepared to handle the situation, and seamlessly took care of students who could not go through a full school day.
Similarly, on Feb. 18th, Michael Schenkel died in a car accident on 146th and Stephanie Road. His sudden death and had a considerable effect on the student body. But Schenkel’s death was commemorated by a respectful and heartfelt announcement by Assistant Principal John Abell the next day. Just as the administration responded to Abbas’ death, grief counselors and social workers were available for students who felt the shock of Schenkel’s death.
The sheer size of this school often gives the misconception that the students and faculty are disconnected, that teachers cannot reach out to students to aid them in times of need. However, the reaction to these tragic events proves that that idea is, in fact, just a misconception. As cliché as it sounds, Carmel High School is a family, and when faced with difficult situations, it reacts as a family. In addition to the counseling available, the understanding and care with which teachers reacted to students exemplified the strength of the Carmel family.
The quick responses to the deaths of these students reflect the compassion and concern the faculty and staff here has for students. The immediate set up of a counseling station leaves no gaps for students to fall through. Recovering from the death of a friend or classmate can be a long and difficult process, and the fact that the school provides comfort and a safe haven for those recovering from the tragedy must be commended. Their understanding and caring for students undergoing the various pains of mourning is unmatched.
Comments
2 Responses to “School response to deaths exemplifies respectful grieving”
Got something to say?
Multimedia/Links »
Video of the Day
Get the Flash Player to see this player.Photo of the Day
Advertisement
Events in Carmel
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | ||
| 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 |
| 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 |
| 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 |
| 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | ||
Polls
Loading ...
Hey HiLite!
I just wanted to clarify something. I knew Shaail…she was in a class of mine. I also know that she didn’t drown. She died of hypothermia after being submerged in ice cold water for about 6 minutes. She died at the hospital, not in the pond. Drowning was NOT the cause of death.
Seeing that this is a Feb. article, I assume the correction has been rightfully made already.
Next year staff member,
Cassie
He was a wonderful person and I want everyone to remeber him for that it is just keeps gets harder and harder with out him, I know that we all miss him . He was a wonderful person and I don’t think that anyone is going to miss him. I think what we are all going to miss about him was when we were down in the blues he always made us laugh. You also could never get mad at Michael because he was just a great guy . I love my cousin with all my heart and I just want to thank all of his friends that keep on going over to his moms house it is like is still there with all the stories that we hear about him . All the stuff that he did . Here is something for all of his friends my brother eric schenkel micheal were like brothers my dad took them golfing and micheal got mad at eric so he hit eric with the golf club now I bet you can all picture Micheal doing that .