Student Passing | Support and Resources
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October 9, 2025
Dear NECSD students, families, faculty, and staff,
It is with profound sadness that I share the heartbreaking news that one of our students was found fatally shot this morning inside of a residence. Our hearts are heavy, and our entire school community is grieving this tragic loss.
Our law enforcement partners are diligently investigating this incident. The City of Newburgh Police Department has shared information about it here.
The loss of a child of any age can be challenging to understand and process. Our hearts break for this child’s family and those who knew and loved them.
Scholars, faculty, and staff alike may experience grief as a result of the untimely passing of a child, simply by learning of the loss, regardless of their relationship with the student. This type of news can reignite trauma and grief from previous experiences as well. Below, we have provided some information and resources to help navigate this loss.
Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) Team
Our Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) Team has been activated and is available to support our school as needed. The CISM team is a group of NECSD professionals (school psychologists, counselors, and social workers) trained in this nationally recognized process that helps mitigate the impact of a stressful event, supports the recovery process, and assesses the need for additional support. Our priority is to support those immediately impacted, helping classmates, teachers, friends, and family members enrolled in our schools.
While the CISM team focuses on those who may be most prominently impacted, all of our school counselors, social workers, and school psychologists are trained in trauma and crisis support. If you believe your child requires additional support, please do not hesitate to contact one of the professionals in your child’s school or my office directly.
Supporting our Children
We understand how difficult it may be to discuss issues of death and grief with your child, particularly when it involves someone who is a peer, acquaintance, or friend.
Your child may have questions or wish to express sadness, anger, or shock at the loss of someone their age.
Answer your child's questions honestly, according to their age and level of understanding. Try to be sensitive to their desire to communicate while listening to and accepting their feelings.
Everyone handles the grieving process differently. Grief can come in many forms, manifest in different stages, and may not be immediate. Emotions about death can be immediate or may surface days, weeks, months, or even years from now.
Below you will find links to resources that may help guide your conversations.
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National Association of School Psychologists
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Education Week: How Teachers Can Talk About Hard Things With Students
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How to talk to your children about the death of a loved one | UNICEF
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The Do's and Don'ts of Talking With a Child About Death | Psychology Today
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Be Honest And Concrete: Tips For Talking To Kids About Death | NPR
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How to Explain Death to a Child, A Step-by-Step Guide | Parents
Taking care of each other
We know that our parents, faculty, and staff may struggle to learn about a child's passing. Please check in on each other and utilize the resources available to process your grief. It is important to take time to take care of yourself before you are properly able to take care of others.
Sincerely,
Dr. J. Manning Campbell
Superintendent of Schools
ATTENTION: Are your scholars or colleagues doing something great? Please contact the district Communications Team at communications@necsd.net. We’d love to visit your class or event and/or post your pictures and recap to highlight the amazing accomplishments throughout our district!
