It is with profound sadness that I share that one of our students, Josiah Grant, a 7th grader at Armstrong Middle School, died as a result of a tragic cycling accident on Saturday evening.
By all accounts, Josiah was a personable and affable young man who was beloved by his family and friends. Josiah has been with our district through his academic career, attending elementary school at both Keystone and Mill Creek before entering middle school at Armstrong. Our condolences and deepest sympathies are extended to all who have been impacted by this tragic incident and loss.
Many adolescents and members of our community may be affected (either directly or indirectly) by this loss. We have activated our District Crisis Team and our counselors and they will be available throughout the day on Tuesday at Armstrong Middle School and throughout the district to provide assistance to staff and students in need.
If you feel that your child is having difficulty coping with this event, please let us know as soon as possible. As always, our counselors will remain accessible to the entire student body, and with the help of our faculty, attempt to identify any students who may be having ongoing difficulties.
Please keep in mind that any traumatic event can trigger an emotional reaction, even to an unrelated event (family illness, prior losses, etc.). Please review the below links for suggestions on how to comfort someone after an unexpected loss and common characteristics of an adolescent who may be having difficulty coping (see links below).
We appreciate your understanding as the school community comes together to support the Grant family and each other during this very difficult time.
Sincerely,
Michael Nitti
Superintendent
Bristol Township School District
Trauma and Grief Resources
How to Help a Grieving Teen
Books for Children Dealing with Loss or Trauma
Addressing Grief
Good Grief Resource Site