Communication from the Head of School

November 29, 2008
 
Dear St. Anne’s Families,
 
With the deepest sorrow and grief, I write to inform you of the tragic loss of the Lofgren family. Parker, Caroline, Owen (4th grade) and Sophie (3rd grade) passed away sometime on November 27 from an apparent accidental carbon-monoxide poisoning while staying on vacation at a home in Aspen. Final details from authorities are not yet available as I write, but should be forthcoming in the near future.

This is, of course, an inconceivable loss for the relatives of the Lofgrens, their many friends around the country, and our entire St. Anne’s community. Words are completely inadequate in expressing the sorrow we all feel for having such a wonderful family taken from us so suddenly. Individuals are welcome to bring any thoughts, prayers, and/or notes of support to the relatives of the Lofgrens or in memory of Parker, Caroline, Owen and Sophie to the altar in the St. Anne’s chapel beginning Monday. Specifics regarding services for the family and other updates and information pertinent to the community will be sent via e-mail and posted on our website under a link titled “Lofgren Memorial Page” that will be created in the next 1-2 days. Please check this site frequently for updated messages and support information.

I am sure many of you, like me, also turn your thoughts and concerns to our children. For our third graders, this represents a second incomprehensible loss of a classmate this year, and for all our students it is another painful tragedy. There is no single path to help children through these times of sadness; each child will feel and experience it in his or her own way. And again, it will take time and love. We are, however, here as a school and a family to assist in this grieving process now and in the future. The attached letter from Craig Knippenberg, our school counselor, has some initial thoughts and guidance that should be helpful. Please note his advice that we all communicate this sad news to our children before school on Monday in order to prepare them for the days ahead. In addition, we are formulating plans to provide immediate support for all of our community members now and in the ongoing future.

Here is what is in place now:

Monday, December 1, 2008: We will begin the day with an all-school prayer service for students, parents, faculty and staff in the gym at 8:05 a.m. The service will run approximately 50 minutes. Any parents who would prefer their child not attend the opening prayer service are welcome to wait until 9:00 a.m. to bring their students to school; please bring them directly to their classrooms when you arrive.

Classes will resume after the prayer service at 9:00 a.m., BUT IT IS AN OPTIONAL DAY. Any parents who feel their child and/or their family would benefit from spending some time as families are welcome to do so. Teachers will be prepared to lead a variety of activities to help students process their emotions. We hope that the students will also find comfort in a sense of normalcy and routine while in the care of teachers who know and love them. Extended Day will be offered as usual from 3:05 p.m-6:00 p.m. I do urge all of us, however, to encourage and allow our children to return Tuesday to the comfort and safety of school and the healing those routines can provide us all.

Following the service on Monday, parents, with or without their children, who would like to gather in various locations on campus for companionship are invited to join us from approximately 9:00-10:00 a.m. Light food will be available for PS and Kindergarteners in the library, grades 1, 2 and 5 in the Lower School Commons, grades 3 and 4 in Comfort Hall, and Middle School in the Middle School Commons.

We are also taking steps to have additional professional counseling support for the near future. Counselors will be available in the chapel Monday through Friday of this week during school hours for drop-in consultation and assistance. In addition, we will have counselors in the classroom buildings to assist individuals as needed throughout the week. Parents who would like individual guidance and/or advice are welcome to stop by chapel, or contact Craig Knippenberg, Pastor Merrie, or me if you would like support. On Wednesday morning, December 3, at 8:15 a.m. we will also offer a Lower School group parent meeting to be conducted by a professional counselor, and we will offer the same type of group parent meeting for Middle School parents on Thursday, December 4 at 8:15 a.m. in the chapel.

I wish I had the power to glean some magical message that might ease the pain we all feel right now. Alas, no message exists, or at least it is not within my grasp. I do, however, take strength, courage and comfort from the knowledge we are all a part of an incredibly loving and supportive community, the St. Anne’s family. It is a family Parker, Caroline, Owen and Sophie loved nearly as much as their own, and it is why they gave so much of themselves to this place. I encourage us all, therefore, to lean once again on each other to get through these tragic times. Parents, students, teachers, staff, and professionals will all be here to hug and comfort each other now and in the future. Please reach out and hold each other, and please do not hesitate to call if we can be of assistance. Together, with faith and love, we will see each other through these days as well.

Sincerely,
 
Alan Smiley
Head of School
St. Anne's Episcopal School
303-756-9481 ext. 212
asmiley@st-annes.org