NORMAL, Ill. (WMBD) — Parkside Junior High School offers tips to families following the death of a seventh-grade student.
Edder Diaz, 13, died on Saturday, Nov. 8, after being rescued from a mobile home fire last week, a post on the Normal Fire Department’s Facebook page said at the time.
“We want to let you know of the heartbreaking loss of our Parkside Junior High classmate, Edder
Diaz, who passed away on Saturday, November 8th. Edder was a kind and energetic 7th grader,
and his loss will be felt by many in our school community,” a release from the school said.
Families may want to discuss the loss with their children in a way that feels right for the family the release explained.
The school said it shared the news with students Monday morning and is offering “support and safe spaces for them to express their feelings.”
Counselors will continue to be available for students to express their feelings. They will also have therapy dogs on site to help comfort students.
The following is a list of things parents can do to help their children:
- Taking time to listen to their thoughts and feelings about what has happened.
- Reassuring them that it’s okay to feel sad, confused, or even unsure how to respond.
- Reminding them that they are safe and surrounded by people who care about them.
- Watching for any ongoing changes in mood or behavior and reaching out to one of our
- Consult counselors or another professional if concerns arise
“We are grateful for the way our Parkside families come together during difficult times. Thank you for keeping the student’s family, our staff, and classmates in your thoughts,” the release said.
Díaz was involved in athletics at the school, so the Cross Country team will host the Redder for Edder 3-Mile Run at 9 a.m. on Saturday, November 22, at Maxwell Park.
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