A New Canaan High School senior died Saturday night, according to district officials.
The deceased was a “strong student, an excellent athlete, a kind young man, and a wonderful friend, and he will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved him,” the superintendent of schools said in an email to the NCHS community.
“Such unimaginable loss is difficult to process, and we want to ensure that our students, staff, and families have access to the support they need during this difficult time,” Dr. Bryan Luizzi said in the email.
The high school will start on a two-hour delay Monday, he said (details here). Buses will run at regular times, and classes will start at 10 a.m., giving friends of the deceased time “to gather together in support and love, and, if desired, speak with our dedicated counselors and staff,” Luizzi said.
NCHS Principal Bill Egan also messaged NCHS students, urging them to talk to their parents, himself or someone else “[i]f the tragic news we received today has left you feeling like you need to talk to someone.”
“Tomorrow, we will have counselors, support staff, and comfort dogs available at school to provide support,” Egan said. “We will continue offering this support in the days ahead. If you or a friend need to talk, be heard, or simply need someone to be there for you, please come directly to the Wagner Room tomorrow. If you’re arriving before school starts, please head to the counseling suite. NCHS family, we love and care about each of you. We are here for you, so please don’t hesitate to come see us. Remember to take care of yourselves and look out for one another.”
Colleen Prostor, executive director of New Canaan CARES—a nonprofit organization that seeks to advance the health and well-being of youth and families—also issued an email offering ways for those in the New Canaan community to connect with help in a crisis, including:
- 988 Lifeline – Call 988, text 988, or chat online. If you are in immediate danger, call 911.
- Kids in Crisis– 24-hour confidential hotline (203) 327-5437 (KIDS).
- New Canaan Urgent Assessment Program– Free Mental Health Assessment and Support for New Canaan residents (children, adolescents and adults), call (866) 542-4455, ask for the Urgent Assessment Program.
- CT Infoline-211-for confidential hotline and mobile – will travel to your home – crisis intervention services 24/7. Dial 211 from any phone.
“Our love and prayers go out to the family, friends, and community members who are grieving after the loss of a precious New Canaan community member,” Prostor said in the email.
The superintendent said in his email — which identified the deceased by name — that his heart breaks for the young man, “his family, and all who knew and loved him.”
“Together, let’s keep them all in our thoughts and prayers as we support one another during this challenging time,” Luizzi said in the email.
See the New Canaan CARES Resource Page for ways to speak with your children about death, grief, and loss.
This article is pointless without a name of the deceased, especially since Luizzi identified the senior. I understand not disclosing the cause of death, but not disclosing the name makes no sense.
Thank you, Avinash. I understand what you’re saying. My strong feeling is that in cases of untimely death, especially, the first time the name of the deceased appears in the local news should be in a family-approved obituary. It has taken me some years and some past editorial decisions that I regret to come to that position. Thank you again. -Mike
I understand and appreciate the explanation. But please do recognize that your readers want to know ‘what, when, who, how’, especially in this close knit town. While I have figured this out through neighboring town news sites, do reconsider your policy.
Having a senior in high school myself, I feel for the family of this kid and offer my condolences to the family.