Dear William Penn Families,
It is with a heavy heart that I share that one of our students and your student’s classmate, Caitlyn Wilson, passed away on Monday, July 11th, due to injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident. Caitlyn was well loved by many staff and students. She was a member of the William Penn Girls Soccer and Field Hockey teams and participated in the Science Olympiad Club. She also participated as a member of the Big Red Team in the local New Castle County Sports High School Field Hockey League. As a William Penn Allied Health student, Caitlyn was a member of our HOSA, a club for students interested in future careers in the medical field, as she had aspirations of one day becoming a doctor. Caitlyn proudly represented William Penn High School in all of her activities both on and off the field.
– May time heal your sorrow. –
– May friends ease your pain. –
– May peace replace heartaches. –
– and warmest memories remain. –
News of someone’s death impacts each person in different ways; how your child will react will depend on the relationship they had with the person who died, their age, and their prior experience with death. We encourage you to talk to your child about what has happened. Talking with a parent/guardian and trusted adult is very helpful for children as they try to cope and work through loss in their lives.
Your child may:
- Appear unaffected
- Ask questions about the death
- Be angry or aggressive
- Be withdrawn or moody
- Be sad or depressed
- Become afraid
- Have difficulty sleeping or eating.
Students who would like to speak with a mental health professional at school are welcome to come to William Penn between 8:30am – 11am on Monday (7/18), Tuesday (7/19) or Wednesday (7/20). Building administration and school mental health staff will be available to meet with students during those times. No appointment is necessary.
If you are concerned about your child’s reaction to this news and want to speak with someone to get help immediately, you may call the Delaware Division of Health & Social Services Crisis Hotline (24 hour service) at 302-969-4357.
Please join me in extending our heartfelt sympathy to Caitlyn’s family. Our thoughts are with them.
Sincerely,
Lisa Brewington
Principal
William Penn High School